Letter: Blair's project

Sir: Who are these armies of people claiming benefit not designed for them? (David Aaronovitch, 18 December).

Incapacity benefit, introduced by the last government, is accompanied by a strict and terrifying medical examination (less like a medical, more like being on trial, in my experience.)

To hear some people talk one would think that benefit claimants receive lottery-size fortunes each week. In fact few benefits exceed pounds 3,000 a year and some, including incapacity benefit, are taxed.

Mr Aaronovitch's world of work and good health is miles away from the lives we disabled people live, as I can testify, having journeyed from the former to the latter. All we ask for is a fair deal; the ongoing debate shows that there is little understanding of the world of disability and what it involves.

DAVID SEYMOUR

London SE4