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13/08/2009
People On Sick 'Must Become More Active'
The Health Secretary has called for people on incapacity benefit to take more exercise in order to help them back into employment.
Andy Burnham believes the country could save millions If just 1% of those on the benefit were to take-up a more active lifestyle.
He said: "In England, if we can get just 1% of people on incapacity benefit back into the workplace through active lifestyles, this would save the Exchequer £36m and industry £31m - that's a combined cost to the economy of £67m a year."
More than a third of those claiming for incapacity benefits have mental health problems or muscular or skeletal disorders.
The Health Secretary said these were conditions that were known to respond well to exercise.
Mr Burnham's comments came as part of the government's Change4Life public health drive launched to help people become more active.
According to the NHS £3,000 is spent every second treating illnesses such as Type 2 diabetes which could be prevented by people doing more exercise.
You are up to 50% less likely to be at risk of major chronic disease such as coronary heart disease, stroke and cancer if you take regular exercise.
Britain is one of the least active nations in Europe.
(GK/BMcC)
Andy Burnham believes the country could save millions If just 1% of those on the benefit were to take-up a more active lifestyle.
He said: "In England, if we can get just 1% of people on incapacity benefit back into the workplace through active lifestyles, this would save the Exchequer £36m and industry £31m - that's a combined cost to the economy of £67m a year."
More than a third of those claiming for incapacity benefits have mental health problems or muscular or skeletal disorders.
The Health Secretary said these were conditions that were known to respond well to exercise.
Mr Burnham's comments came as part of the government's Change4Life public health drive launched to help people become more active.
According to the NHS £3,000 is spent every second treating illnesses such as Type 2 diabetes which could be prevented by people doing more exercise.
You are up to 50% less likely to be at risk of major chronic disease such as coronary heart disease, stroke and cancer if you take regular exercise.
Britain is one of the least active nations in Europe.
(GK/BMcC)
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