Chancellor Rachel Reeves (Image: Getty)
The total amount of benefits paid to obese people to help with their living costs has almost doubled over the past four years. There were more than 4,000 people claiming Personal Independence Payments because they were classified as obese, latest Department of Work and Pensions figures show.
Four years ago just 2,852 adults claimed PIP for being seriously overweight. By the start of this year it had soared to 4,131. The average claimant with obesity was being paid almost £135 per week – annual tax-free benefits of £7,014, costing the taxpayer £29million.
In four years the average payment to these PIP claimants has risen from an average of £109 per week, meaning the total bill has increased from £16.2million. To claim the payouts recipients do not always need a medical diagnosis, nor are they means tested – so they are free to earn other income or have hefty savings.
Obesity costs are stark for the UK (Image: Getty)
PIP is made up of two elements – a daily living part to help with costs such as cooking, cleaning and getting dressed, as well as a mobility part for getting around. The Government recently announced a toughening of PIP assessment rules, leaving many claimants fearing their handouts could be reduced or cut completely.
Birmingham’s Ladywood constituency had the highest number of claimants at 31, followed by Coventry East with 25, and Plymouth Sutton and Devonport at 22. Callum McGoldrick of the TaxPayers’ Alliance said: “Taxpayers are being forced to cough up millions to fatten the benefits bill – with obesity claims piling on the pounds to public spending. While ordinary Brits struggle to make ends meet, some are raking in tax-free cash for their own lifestyle choices.
“It’s time ministers stopped feeding this bloated system and brought some discipline back to disability benefits.”
The Government said: “We have set out a sweeping package of reforms to health and disability benefits that genuinely support people back into work, while putting the welfare system on a more sustainable footing so the safety net is always there to protect those who need it most.”
Birmingham mum on benefits who smashed man’s hip with pole is grilled by judge
A general silhouette of a woman and a phone showing Universal Credit login (Image: )
A judge has aggressively questioned a mother on benefits as to why she has not found employment. Niki Francis, who assaulted a man by pushing him over in the street, hitting him with a pole and breaking his hip while intoxicated, has been granted six months to reform her behaviour.
The 33 year old from Willes Road, Winson Green has had her sentencing deferred to 2024 by Judge Dean Kershaw, who cautioned that failure to improve would result in imprisonment. Today, Wednesday (May 14) at Birmingham Crown Court, it was reported that she has remained sober, cooperated with probation services and avoided further offences.
Judge Kershaw consequently assigned her a suspended sentence of 22 months for 18 months for the crimes of unlawful wounding and possession of an offensive weapon, which she pleaded guilty to, reports Birmingham Live. When determining if Francis could cover prosecution costs, the court learned she receives £1,300 monthly from employment support allowance and Universal Credit.
Her defence, led by Samantha Forsyth, pointed out her physical, mental health issues, and epilepsy as factors potentially making her less appealing to employers. Nevertheless, Judge Kershaw contested this notion and, speaking to Francis directly, he stated: “You are going to have to start making a decision.
“You’re in your early 30s. Are you going to lead your entire life by just being on benefits, never working and doing anything really positive for society? It’s not for me to tell you how to lead your life other than it should be a lawful one. There has got to be something that makes a trigger within you and not just want to rely on benefits.”
He added: “There is nothing I have read in all of the reports (about you) why you cannot get out and work hard and earn a living. You’re the one who is choosing not to. Your epilepsy doesn’t prevent you doing many jobs. Many people have what you have and take medication and have a job. You’re the one deciding. You don’t have the dedication to go and get employment. It is much harder because of your criminal background but that isn’t a barrier to many jobs.”
Francis became embroiled in an altercation over parking issues on Grovesnor Road, Handsworth, on June 16, 2023. She then confronted another man who had merely stopped to observe the fracas. Prosecutor Maninder Chagger reported: “The defendant began shouting at him.
“She then approached him and either punched him or assaulted him by hitting him on the back of the head. He walked away. She followed and the next thing he knew, he was pushed to the ground and she began to hit him with a metal pole.”
The victim sustained a broken hip and needed several months of treatment to walk without assistance again. He expressed that he now feels compelled to look over his shoulder when outdoors and detailed his struggles with anxiety and flashbacks.
