02/07/2010
Sick Benefit Review 'Unfair', Says Labour
The Labour party has slammed rumoured moves by the new Coalition Government to change the way eligibility for sickness benefits are assessed.
Yvette Cooper, Labour's Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, (pictured) said in response to reports of possible Incapacity Benefit changes: "Those who are fit for work should be working or seeking work," but went on to explain that Labour's previous reforms were due to get around a million people off sickness benefits and save around £1.5bn by introducing a new medical test and reassessing current claimants.
"That test was worked on with doctors and disability groups, and was finding more people fit for work based on proper medical evidence.
"We have been urging the new Government to complete the implementation of those reforms and hope they will do so," she said.
"We would be very concerned if they were to rip up the new test and the medical evidence just to reach an arbitrary target for spending cuts - that would be deeply unfair."
Her comments came soon after the new Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Iain Duncan Smith was forced to deny reports that ministers are considering trebling 'fitness to work' tests on people claiming incapacity benefit.
He insisted said the Government had "absolutely no intention" of changing the 10,000-a-week rate begun under Labour and also played down reports of extra cuts to incapacity benefit.
They were, he said, continuing Labour's plan but hoped to get more people working by extending support programmes.
Mr Duncan Smith's comments follow remarks from Chancellor George Osborne, that benefits, which the Government had not given specific commitments to protect, would be part of the summer spending review aimed at cutting the £155bn deficit.
(BMcC/GK)
Yvette Cooper, Labour's Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, (pictured) said in response to reports of possible Incapacity Benefit changes: "Those who are fit for work should be working or seeking work," but went on to explain that Labour's previous reforms were due to get around a million people off sickness benefits and save around £1.5bn by introducing a new medical test and reassessing current claimants.
"That test was worked on with doctors and disability groups, and was finding more people fit for work based on proper medical evidence.
"We have been urging the new Government to complete the implementation of those reforms and hope they will do so," she said.
"We would be very concerned if they were to rip up the new test and the medical evidence just to reach an arbitrary target for spending cuts - that would be deeply unfair."
Her comments came soon after the new Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Iain Duncan Smith was forced to deny reports that ministers are considering trebling 'fitness to work' tests on people claiming incapacity benefit.
He insisted said the Government had "absolutely no intention" of changing the 10,000-a-week rate begun under Labour and also played down reports of extra cuts to incapacity benefit.
They were, he said, continuing Labour's plan but hoped to get more people working by extending support programmes.
Mr Duncan Smith's comments follow remarks from Chancellor George Osborne, that benefits, which the Government had not given specific commitments to protect, would be part of the summer spending review aimed at cutting the £155bn deficit.
(BMcC/GK)
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17 February 2015
Plans Announced To Make Young People Work For Benefits
The Prime Minister has announced a proposal for 18 to 21-year-olds claiming benefits to do daily work experience. The proposed reform, known as Community Work Programme, would see young people not in work, education or training, required to complete daily work experience, alongside continuing to look for work in order to qualify for benefits.
Plans Announced To Make Young People Work For Benefits
The Prime Minister has announced a proposal for 18 to 21-year-olds claiming benefits to do daily work experience. The proposed reform, known as Community Work Programme, would see young people not in work, education or training, required to complete daily work experience, alongside continuing to look for work in order to qualify for benefits.
30 October 2006
Campaign to crack down on benefit cheats launched
The government has launched a campaign which aims to crack down on benefit cheats. The 'No Ifs, No Buts' campaign stresses the message that there are no excuses for committing benefit fraud. It is estimated that almost £1 billion was lost last year through benefit fraud, compared to £2 billion in 2001.
Campaign to crack down on benefit cheats launched
The government has launched a campaign which aims to crack down on benefit cheats. The 'No Ifs, No Buts' campaign stresses the message that there are no excuses for committing benefit fraud. It is estimated that almost £1 billion was lost last year through benefit fraud, compared to £2 billion in 2001.
09 October 2015
UK Construction Output Falls In August
Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed a fall in construction output for the month of August. In August 2015, output in the UK's construction industry dropped by 4.3% compared with July 2015. Compared with August 2014, it fell by 1.3%, its first year-on-year fall since May 2013. All new work declined by 3.
UK Construction Output Falls In August
Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed a fall in construction output for the month of August. In August 2015, output in the UK's construction industry dropped by 4.3% compared with July 2015. Compared with August 2014, it fell by 1.3%, its first year-on-year fall since May 2013. All new work declined by 3.
25 October 2006
Pensioners to protest at Westminster
Pensioners are to protest at Westminster today to demand an increase in the state pension. The National Pensioners Convention (NPC) says "the government's white paper on pensions contains nothing of immediate benefit to today's pensioners". The pensioners will be demanding a £30 a week increase which means they will receive £114.50.
Pensioners to protest at Westminster
Pensioners are to protest at Westminster today to demand an increase in the state pension. The National Pensioners Convention (NPC) says "the government's white paper on pensions contains nothing of immediate benefit to today's pensioners". The pensioners will be demanding a £30 a week increase which means they will receive £114.50.
21 July 2008
Benefit Claimants Could Be Forced To Work
Benefit claimants could be forced into community work under new UK Government plans to get millions of the unemployed back to work. The Welfare Green Paper is expected to include proposals to force those unemployed for more than two years to work within the community.
Benefit Claimants Could Be Forced To Work
Benefit claimants could be forced into community work under new UK Government plans to get millions of the unemployed back to work. The Welfare Green Paper is expected to include proposals to force those unemployed for more than two years to work within the community.
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