GOVERNMENT minister Margaret Hodge has told people on incapacity benefit that welfare reforms are an opportunity rather than a threat.

Mrs Hodge was speaking during a visit to the Bishopgate Surgery, in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, yesterday.

After meeting members of the Wear Valley Action Team, who are working with GPs to help people on incapacity benefit to get back into work, Mrs Hodge stressed that the Government's nationwide reforms depended on consent rather than compulsion.

"This is not about cutting benefits. It is about creating the opportunity of support for the individual," said Mrs Hodge.

"I have been told about a guy who damaged his back. He has done a course and he is now moving into an IT job. This is all about opportunity, not cutting benefits."

During her visit, the minister was told that, since the Wear Valley Action Team GP surgery pilot was set up in April, 32 people on incapacity benefits had agreed to be interviewed about the scheme.

A total of 26 signed up for the scheme, which could lead to paid employment, representing 72 per cent of those who were interviewed.

The County Durham scheme is part of UK-wide efforts to return long-term sick and disabled people to work if they are able to do so.

Selected patients are offered an interview and then access to support services, ranging from acupuncture for pain control to counselling.

"This is an exciting, cutting-edge project," said Mrs Hodge.

"People often talk about disabled people's rights to access certain services, but nobody talks about the right to work."

Dr Paul Bowlam, one of the six GPs at the Bishopsgate Surgery, said: "It think the scheme works really well. The feedback from the patients is wonderful."

The North-East has 154,000 people on incapacity benefit.