FirstAssist has welcomed the government's announcement this week that it plans to overhaul incapacity benefit over the next five years.

The government hopes to reduce the length of time 2.7m people currently claim benefit, and to help those who can work back into employment.

Chief executive of FirstAssist Tim Ablett said: "Cooperation in creating the infrastructure for effective rehabilitation will lead to increased productivity and significant reduction in the drain on UK businesses."

"Government policy can drive this forward, but it is not the only mechanism for change. Large employers, including the public sector and their insurers, have a fundamental role to play."

FirstAssist said that only 15% of workers who suffer from a serious injury will return to work in Britain. The company claims that once people are in receipt of incapacity benefit, they will remain on it indefinitely. In comparison, the US has 30% returnee rate and Sweden has a rate of 50%.

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