More than 300 deemed fit for work

The government says work assessments on those claiming long-term welfare benefits in the Island are thorough, professional and fair.

Bill Henderson MLC, who has responsibility for social security within Treasury, has rejected criticism of the process by the Manx Labour Party, as 'misleading'.

He's accused the party of failing to check facts, after concern was raised that vulnerable people were being treated unfairly.

Last year, of just over 700 people who underwent the fit-for-work tests, more than 300 were assessed as capable of work.  

Mr Henderson says every effort is made by trained health professionals to gain as full a picture as possible of each individual: