A big announcement from the Prime Minister last week was that the Government will be consulting on proposed reforms to the benefits system to ensure benefits are targeted at those who need it most whilst ensuring those who are able to work are supported to do so.
The Department for Work and Pensions provides a valuable
service supporting people to find work and ensuring a safety net for some of
the most vulnerable people in our society. In particular, the DWP offices in
our constituency, St Austell and Newquay Jobcentres and St Austell Benefit
Centre, do excellent work, with Newquay Jobcentre recognised as one of the best
performing in the south west for the way in works with local businesses and
community groups in innovative ways to help people find work.
The Prime Minister’s announcement from last week outlines a
package of wide ranging reforms to put work at the heart of welfare and deliver
on his “moral mission” to give everyone who is able to work, the best possible
chance of staying in, or returning to work. The welfare package also includes
further measures to crack down on fraud and removing benefits entirely from
long term unemployed who don’t accept a job when one is available.
It comes as many more working age people are being awarded benefit
for mental health conditions than when it was first introduced over a decade
ago, as well as concerns that the assessment process is significantly easier to
abuse by individuals who seek to exploit the system.
Total spending on benefits for people of working age with a
disability or health condition increased by almost two-thirds to £69 billion
since the pandemic, and we now spend more on these benefits than our core
schools’ budget or on policing. Given the significant change in caseload and
unsustainable increase in costs, it’s clear our current disability benefit
system for adults of working age is not fit for purpose.
A consultation on Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will
be published in the coming days which will explore changes to the eligibility
criteria, assessment process and types of support that can be offered so the
system is better targeted towards individual needs and more closely linked to a
person’s condition rather than the current “one size fits all” approach.
Let me be clear, this is not about removing support for
those who need it, but the current situation is unsustainable. Not only is it
cost taxpayers a huge amount of money. Let’s remember the money has to come
from somewhere and it is hard working taxpayers who are footing the bill. The
current situation is also making it more difficult for local businesses to find
the staff they need. This is holding back our economy locally and nationally.
I am pleased that the Prime Minister has listened to the
calls for reform to the system. It is crucial that those with long term health
conditions who most need assistance via the benefits system and services
provided by the Department for Work and Pensions get appropriately targeted
support to enable them to manage their conditions and the way in which it
impact their lives. But at the same time, we also need to ensure those who
abuse the system are not able to continue to do this.. I hope that the Prime Minister’s announcement
will enable both of these things to happen, and I will continue to support our
local DWP staff in the delivery of their vital work.
As ever, if I can be of assistance on any matter, my office
is available for any constituents needing help, advice or guidance – tel: 01726
829379 or email: office@stevedouble.org.uk
