A TOUGH new work test being introduced for 78,000 sickness benefit claimants across the region is spreading “fear and anxiety”, an investigation by MPs warns today.

The crackdown on incapacity benefit (IB) claimants is sharply criticised for judging that sick and disabled people are fit for work – only for 40% of decisions to be overturned on appeal.

Ministers come under fire for poorly-explained changes and loose use of language that has led to disabled people being described as “scroungers” and “benefit cheats”.

And Atos Healthcare, the private company carrying out the “work capability assessment” (WCA), is accused of “falling below the standard claimants rightly expect” – adding to people’s mistrust.

There are also reports of claimants being turned away when appointments have been overbooked and stripped of their benefits after mix-ups that were the result of “administrative errors” by Atos.

Anne Begg, the chairwoman of the Commons work and pensions select committee, said: “The government’s aim of helping benefit claimants back into work is laudable.