NOW the Government plan to alter the way it approaches 'Incapacity' I feel strongly that it should make its plans clear before the more sensitive people who are on incapacity benefits get frightened and unduly anxious.

In the days of three million people unemployed many fit and healthy workers (such as miners) could not get a new job and put pressure on their doctors to be placed on 'invalidity' - more or less as a kind of pension.

New there is more-or-less full employment we still have three million on state benefits not working. I agree that those who are fit for work should be encouraged to do so. The problem is how do you fairly assess whether an individual is fit to work or not? Do you try to rehabilitate not only the physically disabled but also the mentally ill?

No matter how the problem is tackled there will be left well over a million disabled people who have nothing to do and are losing interest in life.

I am in frequent touch with prison inmates who have education laid on. They have the gym and many meetings all laid on. I am not saying that their lives are better than your average disabled person, but they get far more attention.

The value of each human life is very great. It is time the Department of Works and Pensions realised they are dealing with human beings with all their needs, and not leave them as names on their computer.

I am 59 and have been on incapacity for more than 16 years. The reason I was put on invalidity is that my inconsistent job record showed I could not hold a job and I had a mental illness.

Every day I long for human company and something worthwhile to do. I do a small amount of voluntary work but not nearly enough. Other people that I know do nothing 24/7. What a waste!

If any Government wishes to lift the moral standards of the nation it should show more care and compassion for the disabled.

Max Harper

Shaw Lane

Stoke Prior

Bromsgrove