Liz Kendall’s welfare reforms may require long-term sick individuals to seek jobs
London: The long-term sick might have to find jobs soon. Reports say this is part of a big welfare reform plan. Liz Kendall, the Work and Pensions Secretary, is leading these changes.
She wants to make it tougher for people on mental health benefits. This is the biggest change to the welfare system in ten years. The goal is to help more people get back to work.
According to The Times, Kendall plans to stop long-term sick from getting benefits without any job-seeking requirements. She may also cut financial incentives that allow them to earn more than jobseekers.
A government source mentioned that many sick and disabled people want to work. They just need the right support. The Labour government aims to help more people find jobs while protecting the vulnerable.
Kendall has criticized the Conservatives for not managing welfare spending well. She believes the benefits system needs to change to help more people work. A green paper on reforming sickness and disability benefits is expected in the spring.
The previous government set a £137.4 billion welfare cap for 2024/25. This amount is likely to be exceeded by £8.6 billion. Kendall says this is a result of Conservative failures.
She pointed out that many people are out of work due to long-term health issues. This situation affects their living standards and the economy. Big reforms are needed to help more people find jobs.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves wants to avoid emergency tax rises in the March Budget. She faces pressure to find savings, with a focus on cutting the welfare bill.
The number of people claiming Universal Credit has nearly doubled since 2020. Currently, about 2.8 million people are not looking for work due to health issues, a number that has increased since the pandemic.
The Department for Work and Pensions has been asked for comments on these changes.
