More than two thirds of people receiving Incapacity Benefit in Northern Ireland are capable of doing at least some work, new government figures have indicated.

Around 76,000 recipients are currently undergoing assessment to gauge their ability to return to work. Of the 9,328 people assessed so far, 2,202 were found to be capable of work and 4,262 were deemed to have some capability of work.Around 30% - 2,864 - were found to be not capable of any work, primarily due to ill health or learning difficulties.

Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland said the reassessment of Incapacity Benefit recipients was making a real difference to the lives of people who would otherwise have been left trapped in the benefits system. It is the British taxpayer who has to foot the bill for those who opt out of working for a living.