Sunak aims to benefit from sick-note blitz

LABOUR was accused of backing “the sick-note culture which is holding Brits back”, as Conservatives set out to make welfare reform a key dividing line in the general election.

- Jonathan Walker

Ministers promised “a new welfare settlement for Britain” as they warned that too many people are being given “fit notes” saying they are too ill to work.

Writing jointly for the Sunday Express, Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride and Health Secretary Victoria Atkins said: “The number of people signed off on long-term sick leave is far too high and unsustainable.”

They claimed Labour “have no plan for welfare and would take the easy way out every time”.