article_snippet: What our welfare system could do is encourage people to make those choices.
article_snippet: – should have their benefits cut if their refuse to get treatment.
article_snippet: Almost 2,000 people are registered as long-term sick because of obesity.
article_snippet: The proposed overhaul of the benefits system could save Britain £500million a year in sickness payments.
article_snippet: Speaking last month, The Prime Minister said: ‘Too many people are stuck on sickness benefits because of issues that could be addressed but instead are not.’
article_snippet: Under one plan being looked at, almost 2,000 people registered as long-term sick because of obesity would face having almost 2,000 people benefits docked unless almost 2,000 people agreed to lose weight.
article_snippet: On average Around 56,000 people on the register get about £100 a week in sickness benefits and are entitled to other payments, such as housing and council tax benefits.