Party's fit-for-work claims 'misleading'

Manx Labour's concerns dismissed

The government has hit back at the Manx Labour Party over its criticism of fit-for-work assessments being carried out on Island benefit claimants. 

This week, the party's chair MLC David Cretney said vulnerable people were being let down in the process, which he described as a money-saving, tick-box exercise.

UK agency Dependability Ltd is conducting the tests for the Manx government, which insists those involved are professionally qualified.

Mr Cretney claimed too many people were wrongly deemed fit for work, and the process took little account of mental health issues.

But member for Social Security Bill Henderson has rejected those claims, accusing Mr Cretney of whipping-up unfounded concern: