Inverness neighbourhood Merkinch named in top 50 UK areas claiming sickness benefit by Fraser Nelson’s Channel 4 probe into ‘Britain’s benefits scandal’
One Inverness neighbourhood has been named in the top 50 UK areas for claiming sickness benefit in a probe of what was called ‘Britain’s benefits scandal’.
Merkinch was revealed as a “hotspot” in a Channel 4 probe by Fraser Nelson into what is considered the worrying rise of sickness benefit claims.
• Residents riled by 'deprived' label defend Merkinch area
Mr Nelson - who grew up in Nairn before becoming the editor of The Spectator - looks in The Dispatches programme at how people receiving sickness benefits were finding it extremely difficult to get back to work due to systemic issues.
A huge amount of research is accessible on the documentary website which can be found by clicking here.
It names the top 50 areas with the highest proportion of working-age people claiming out-of-work sickness benefits in Q4 2024 and figures for the Highland Westminster constituencies.
'Out of work' refers to claimants of out-of-work sickness/incapacity benefits only and the working age is defined as 16 to 65 years old.
And among the worst hit places is Merkinch where more than a quarter of residents are on sickness benefit (20 per cent) and in total 38 per cent are on benefits.
Despite the area suffering from poverty and crime, Merkinch is also known for its determined and vibrant community partially centred on the Merkinch Community Hall.
Showing how high that is in more context are the figures from the Highland constituencies with Merkinch located within Inverness, Skye & West Ross-shire.
There, sickness benefit claims stand at 8.6 per cent; jobseekers at 1.9 per cent; other (eg. care) 2.3 per cent and all out-of-work benefits stand at 12.9 per cent.
In Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross the figures are as follows sickness 9.9 per cent; jobseekers 1.6 per cent; other (eg. care) 2.8 per cent and all out-of-work is 14.4 per cent.
Finally, Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey – sickness 8.1 per cent; jobseekers 1.8 per cent; other (eg. care) 2.4 per cent; and all out-of-work 12.3 per cent.
‘Britain's invisible people’
The programme argues there is a major issue with benefits, stating: “Some 3.3 million are out of work on long-term sickness benefits: up by a million - in just five years.
“They become Britain's invisible people. Erased from the unemployment numbers and from public debate. Trapped by a system supposed to help them”.
Local MSP Emma Roddick has close links with Merkinch and underlined the impact long-term poverty has on people.
“While some disabled people are unable to work at all, most people – with the right support and reasonable adjustments by their employer – can take up employment,” she said.
“When people are off sick long-term, it’s not an indication that they don’t want to work; it’s an indication that work isn’t working for them.
“Living in poverty is not just tough on your bank account, it has a huge effect on your mental and physical health. I know how exhausted I was while on food parcels – not eating well or exercising also had a knock-on effect.
“Showing up at 09:00 when you are that down on your luck can feel impossible. It isn’t just getting dressed, it can be suffering through the knowledge that the morning bus fare is part of your last fiver for the month, and that every wash cycle for your uniform is coming off your energy meter.
“The fact is that people need money to get into work, and government should always be working to break the cycle, not trap people in it. Understanding and flexibility from an employer can also go a long way in ensuring that whatever is happening at home, someone can keep showing up and earning pay.
“It’s also important to note that many disability payments are not out-of-work benefits, and many people who are struggling with sickness may benefit from exploring whether disability support could help them to get back to work.
“This is why I’ve spoken out repeatedly on the need to respect and uphold this form of social security in the face of Labour cuts. We cannot expect the disability employment gap to get smaller as a result of taking away the money that people use to buy mobility aids, specific food for extreme dietary requirements, or sensory equipment.
“Adult Disability Payment and others exist in recognition of the extra cost of operating as a disabled person and I am here to help anyone who needs more information or support applying”.
