Out of the 4,500 residents of Falinge, Rochdale,only 300 work – despite hundreds of jobs being available. The majorityare ‘on the sick’. Welcome to the country’s benefits capital.
Suchis the vastness of Celestine Sejemani’s flat-screen television that, atthe push of a button, he could have summoned a supersized James Purnellinto the front-room of his council flat.
As it is, one of hisfour children has commandeered the remote control, and certainly isn’toffering to swap Balamory for the news.
In any case, neitherCelestine nor his partner, Pierette, would have enjoyed the flavour ofthe Work and Pension Secretary’s words as he outlined a shake-up of thebenefits system earlier this month. ‘Work is good for people,’announced Mr Purnell. ‘Leaving people on benefits is the cruel thing todo.’
If that’s the case, this family must be suffering. Celestine, aCongolese-born immigrant who has problems with his eyesight, is one of2.6 million people claiming Incapacity Benefit in the UK.
Hislong-term girlfriend is paid an additional allowance to help look afterhim, and then there are tax credits and child benefits on top of that.Their paid-for council accommodation aside, it means that the taxpayeris funding this one family to the tune of more than £12,000 a year.
One million people who could work still claim the benefit
Ofcourse, no one is suggesting that sum on its own is outlandish. But itis the cumulative effect on the British taxpayer that is causingconcern, particularly in the immediate environs of Mr Sejemani’s home.
Theward of Falinge in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, has some 4,500residents, of whom roughly 1,100 are of working age. But only 300 havejobs. The remaining three-quarters do not work and are supported bybenefits — the majority being ‘on the sick’, claiming IncapacityBenefit.
The benefit was intended for people with a disabilitythat prevents them from working. But even the Government admits thatacross the country it is claimed by about a million people who areperfectly capable of holding down a job.