Doctors may no longer be able to give out sick notes in the near future.

General practitioners (GPs) across the country are about to lose a significant responsibility that has been in their hands for quite some time. As part of a major government effort to tackle the issue of "sick note culture", GPs will no longer have the authority to sign people off work. This development will be announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak in a crucial speech on welfare reform.

In his address, Sunak will highlight the alarming rise in the number of individuals being signed off work due to mental health conditions. This trend, he will argue, has put an overwhelming strain on the welfare budget and is simply not sustainable. The Prime Minister, who will also be speaking on this matter, will stress the need to shift focus from what individuals cannot do to what they potentially can. He will urge people to avoid overly medicalizing the everyday challenges and worries of life.

This speech comes just a month after Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride faced backlash for suggesting that the "normal ups and downs of human life" were being labeled as medical conditions, which in turn prevented people from working. Sunak, on the other hand, will propose a more ambitious approach towards aiding individuals in getting back to work as part of his vision for a "new welfare settlement for Britain". He will assure that this does not mean downplaying or dismissing illnesses, but rather a more proactive and supportive strategy.

However, the PM's remarks have been met with criticism from medical professionals and disability charities. They accuse him of being more focused on cutting costs rather than genuinely supporting those with disabilities. In response, the Prime Minister will emphasize that he values the progress made in destigmatizing mental health and acknowledges the importance of recognizing and addressing illnesses. But, he will also caution against complacency and the dangers of simply accepting the current situation because it is challenging or controversial.

Sunak will highlight the growing evidence that shows the positive impact of good work on both mental and physical health. He will urge for a more ambitious and honest approach towards helping individuals return to work, while also acknowledging the risk of over-medicalizing everyday struggles. The ultimate goal, he will assert, is to not let down the very people the welfare system was designed to support.

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