Some of the comments posted demonstrate the same bigotry and lack of knowledge of the government.

I would gladly 'push a mower' around' and in fact have done so on the odd day when I am feeling uncharacteristically well. However, I am then incapable of doing very much for up to a week, sometimes longer.

I used to work two jobs and all of the overtime available. Now I would be glad of a job that suits my physical limitations, however unlikely that may be.

John Lockett, Burnley, Lancashire

This is a joke surely. Between April 2010 and April 2012 , 5600 people would have to be examined per day, I don't think that is feasible. Why are we the sickest people in the developed world? Or is our health system not up to the developed world standard?

Gareth, Swansea,

From April 2010? What about from right now!

judy, Liverpool, England

I have been getting Working Tax Credit because my disabled husband was deemed "fit for work" under the last IB purge. Now my income has risen to the point that WTC is no longer considered appropriate for us as a couple but nothing for the fact that my husband simply CANNOT work consistently.

Hazel Edmunds, Kettering,

There are also many people like myself who are well one day and then very ill the next. How will they be assessed? People who have had their lives destroyed by incompetent doctors on the NHS like myself cannot get compensation and are now being threatened with an end to incapacity benefit! My problems are so complex that even consultants with over 200 transplant operations behind them have problems taking on board what has happened to me, so what conclusion can be reached from a visit to some soppy GP?

Matt, Hertfordshire, UK

Not all people on incapacity benefit are scroungers, and I am sick of the insinuations that they are. I worked sixty hours a week before I became ill. After having had NINE operations, mostly due to incompetencies in the NHS, I am no longer able to guarantee that I will be well from one day to the next.

Dave, Sussex, UK

Maybe all those not fit for work should simply be shot? After all, this government more or less labels them as second class these days!

Harry, London, UK

"Every one of the 2.6 million claimants will be re-tested by a doctor." Hmm. Has the government checked whether the country has enough doctors to re-test everyone and still provide normal service? Or are the general public expected to go and get well on their own while the doctors are busy?

Rowan, Oxford,

This is certainly a move in the right direction from the Government, but they need to ensure doctors are more rigorous in their diagnosis.

I would suggest that many like myself know others claiming incapacity benefits with supposed back problems, which are obviously supported by their doctor, but seem not to have any problem when using a chainsaw or pushing a lawnmower.

Patricia Thornton, Veliko Tarnovo,