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A Channel Four film 

BRITAIN'S BENEFITS SCANDAL

THE RISE AND RISE OF SICKNESS BENEFIT

Some 3.3 million are out of work on long-term sickness benefits: up by a million - in just five years. 

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They become Britain's invisible people. Erased from the unemployment numbers and from public debate. Trapped by a system supposed to help them. 

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This film tells the story, through those affected. Those trying to get on benefits - and to get off. The GPs, whistle-blowing ex-DWP assessors and Secretary of State Liz Kendall.

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This website (written by the presenter, Fraser Nelson) publishes and updates research gathered for the film. The aim is to help others explore the most urgent crisis in British public life.

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Watch the film on YouTube above, or here on 4oD, Channel Four's website.

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The stories

Each case study speaks to a different aspect of the crisis.

Click to read more.

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After two years on sickness benefits, he's ready to train as a plasterer. But he abandons his course after being told he'd lose his benefits immediately.

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A taxi driver who is well enough to come off sickness benefit - but was told he needs to wait for "reassessment". Three years later, he's still waiting.

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A single mother who wants to work but says she'd have to earn £35,000 to replicate what she gets on benefits.

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Run a small business but are struggling to recruit a trainee metal worker at £26k.

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Seeking to sign on to sickness benefit due to his alcoholism. He'll get the money. But will he really get the help he needs?

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Former DWP sickness benefit assessors share concerns about the process.

The data

Explore the main metrics used in the film

The caseload, 3.3m now, is forecast to hit 4.1 million within four years. ​The equivalent of losing a city the size of Glasgow from the UK economy.

Without the sickness surge, UK GDP could be £84 billion higher than forecast by the next election.

Sickness benefit can pay £1,400 a month. How does that compare to work?

Nearly a third of working-age people claim sickness benefits in some of the country's most deprived neighbourhoods.

How those categorised as sick are erased from the unemployment figures - and the national debate.

This website is written and published by the film's presenter, Fraser Nelson

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