London, Nov.19: There are many excuses for not holding down a job, but in Britain, nail biting has become one such extraordinary reason for not being employed, and this is adding to costs on the tax payers front.

The extraordinary excuses for not holding down a job appear on a list of 480 complaints used to claim 7.5 billion pounds of public money.

Amazingly, around 100,000 pounds went to 60 people who complained of a "nail disorder".

The list covers other ailments like acne, alcoholism, drug addiction and even "nail disorders".

Having acne is one of the reasons given by those who say they cannot work to claim benefits

Critics say these figures prove that Britons are essentially work shy and are "taking advantage" of the system.

The statistics, obtained using Freedom of Information laws, show 2.7 million Britons are saying they are too ill to work.

Some 2,000 complain of obesity and claim a total of 4.4 million pounds.

Another 1,100 suffer from sleep disorders and claim 2.3 million pounds, while 50 with acne collect around 100,000 pounds.

Some 50,000 are pocketing 123 million pounds for stress, while the 8,100 suffering from "dizziness and giddiness" claim 24 million pounds.

Around 4,000 claimants have headaches and 2,700 have migraines, costing the taxpayer a total of 17 million pounds.

The figures, which cover last year, also show 50,000 alcoholics were paid 85 million pounds not to work while 48,000 drug addicts received handouts totalling 45 million pounds.

Matthew Elliott, chief executive of the Taxpayers' Alliance pressure group, said: "There is a huge difference between not being able to work and not feeling like working. People taking advantage of the system should examine their consciences and find a job."

Tory work and pensions spokesman Chris Grayling said the figures were "yet more evidence the Government has failed to get to grips with the problems in our welfare state".

He called for reforms to encourage those claiming benefits to get back to work.

Work and Pensions Secretary Peter Hain said Labour is "changing the system to focus on what people can do, not what they can't." (ANI)