Fewer than a third of the 2.7 million or so people claiming incapacity benefit are legitimate claimants, a government welfare adviser has said.
David Freud, an investment banker, said up to 185,000 claimants work illegally while on the benefit.
He told the Daily Telegraph it was "ludicrous" that medical checks were carried out by a claimant's own GP.
Tory Chris Grayling said "it is time" for every claimant to have an independent medical check.
The shadow work and pensions secretary added: "Those fit to work should have their Incapacity Benefit withdrawn immediately and those with the potential to work should get proper support to help them back into employment."
Mr Freud, who was hired by Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell, said the system was "a recipe for getting people on to IB".
Mr Freud, whose report on welfare last year was highly influential on the reforms set out by Mr Purnell this week, has recommended that private firms be paid "bounties" to get claimants off incapacity benefit and into jobs.
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7223687.stm