Thought Id start this one going because its rather dead on this board at the moment and I suppose all my usual muckers are either at the Stella tennis event watching Dim Tim (lose again) or at Henly Regatta eating cucumber sandwiches (they wish,...NOT).

Anyway please feel free to just talk to yourself blast away and let it go on any company or subject you wish. Just wish Id thought of this one before.

cheers GF.

Hays.........for reference purposes only, this should enable you to understand the new ESA benefit.......

Background
In October 2008, existing benefits paid on grounds of incapacity and disability, that is
IB, SDA and Income Support (IS) on the grounds of incapacity, were replaced with
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) for all new claimants. Starting from
October 2010 most claimants who receive IB, SDA and IS paid on the grounds of
illness or disability will be assessed to see if they qualify for ESA.

A key part of the ESA regime is the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) process,
which is used to assess capability for work and eligibility for benefit. Those claiming
ESA are initially put in the assessment phase. Following the assessment phase the
claimant can have three possible outcomes:

Individuals can be found fit for work – in this case their claim closes and the
claimant can move to Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) or it remains open pending
recourse against the decision, via reconsideration from DWP or appeal to Her
Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service.

Individuals can be found to have limited capability for work – in this instance
they are allowed the benefit and placed in the Work Related Activity Group.
Those in this group are not expected to work, but are provided with help and
support to prepare for work where possible. They receive a higher payment
than those on JSA; and

Individuals can be found to have limited capability for work and in addition,
limited capability for work related activity – in this situation they are allowed the
benefit and placed in the Support Group. Those in this group have the most
severe functional impairments and so are provided with unconditional support
and receive a higher premium than those in the Work Related Activity Group.

Hope that helps, cheers GF

Don't be ridiculous Goldfinger : the country is much better run than in the days of Wilson and Blair....one thing the Tories don't do themselves proud is the posh talk...toffie nose thing.....that is a real off-putter I have to say...

RF....... labour will have a majority at the next election.

Get used to it.

The trouble is Cameron does not have the buzz that a leader should have and sort of talks down to people....but Labour....aggghhh...it's even worse....and frankly the country is awash with legitimate criminals as so to speak !...if I put on here some things they would suspend me...

Dont get me wrong RF Im a floating voter and have voted for both labour and Conservative in the past.

Present bunch of Tory front benches..........posh bullingdon boys.......sorry not for me.

RF - i'm afraid there is not a single politician from either side that has any real charisma - except boris, but heaven forfend that he should run for leadership!

whatever sticky may continuously prattle on about - mainly to wind up hays i think - i doubt that any party will end up with a clear majority .... somewhat more worrying imo, is that turnout is likely to be barely 50% as so many are totally disillusioned with all .... the problem with that, is that any result is likely to be even more distorted than already the case with first past the post (which i would still vote for)

It might be a close call when it comes round to the election.....still some away off.....and I think also that people are disillusioned with endless empty promises not being kept...

And after his mauling yesterday;

Have to admit like Cyners says politicians these days all like sheep.

Would be far better if we had a right wing Tory party and a left wing Labour party fighting it out.

All this middle ground posturing is far too boring.

And totaly disagree with Big John about the rabble at PMQs, would be far better if we had the odd punch up like the Italians have he he, I can just imagine Balls sticking one on Ozzzie.

Would be great entertainment.

i'm perfectly happy for the middle ground to be the battle ground, but it's the total lack of quality that is so dull and uninspiring

But surely thats because their is hardly any difference between the partys.

no - it's the quality of the politicians themselves ..... you'ld hardly call boris radical, but he's got plenty of charisma

Cyners anyone is it correct their has been an extension to tax returns deadline?? was watching BBC morning TV and was distracted by that Suzanne Reid, flat at the top but thighs to glide into........ ohhhh I was transfixed.

Boris is ok for a laugh but I wouldnt want his finger on the trigger, although he is a lot cleverer than people give him credit for.

perv! ..... can't imagine why HMRC would have a fit of kindness, so sounds very unlikely to me

Rarely get thighs like them Cyners. Gods gift to man.

15th FEB BB says, Im checking with HMRC which ones.

I have a sneeking feeling Osbourne as something to do with this and its the Child Benefit ones.