[looselipsuk]

It probably would help if the Work and Pensions Secretary, John Hutton, actually new how the Incapacity Benefit system actually worked.
Yes it is true that your GP gives you a sick note and maybe it covers some considerable time. However, once you have been claiming Incapacity Benefit for a long enough period, you are sent for an Incapacity Benefits medical.
If you satisfy the criteria, as laid down by the government, and are deemed to be unfit, you are then under the control of the Incapacity Benefits system and your GP no longer needs to issue sick notes as they control the length of time between medicals.