Labour Minister Calls for End to Blame Culture Over Benefits Bill
Labour’s work and pensions secretary, Liz Kendall, has vowed to put an end to the blame culture aimed at people out of work and steer away from the “salami slicing” approach to cutting the benefits bill that was pursued by the Tories. In a recent interview with the Observer, Kendall emphasized the need for a drastic overhaul of the current back-to-work system, highlighting the growing number of economically inactive individuals, which now surpasses the population of London.
Kendall described her role as one of the most significant challenges facing the country, stressing the urgency for major reforms to address the shortcomings of the current system that is failing a substantial portion of the 2.8 million individuals out of work due to long-term sickness. She criticized the anti-welfare rhetoric employed by Conservative politicians and pledged that Labour would not make reform solely about cuts and blame.
Challenges in Welfare Spending and Sustainability
With concerns looming within the Labour party regarding potential cuts to welfare spending in the upcoming budget, Kendall acknowledged the need for sustainable solutions to address the projected increases in welfare expenditure. She expressed her reservations about the previous government’s approach, citing the divisive rhetoric that blamed individuals rather than providing adequate support.
Kendall pointed out the alarming rise in spending on incapacity and disability benefits for working-age individuals, highlighting the necessity for significant reforms to ensure long-term sustainability. She emphasized the importance of supporting individuals in need of assistance rather than casting blame, reiterating Labour’s commitment to providing the necessary support to help them build a better life.
Reforming the Back-to-Work System
In her efforts to revamp the back-to-work system, Kendall outlined plans for substantial reforms, including a review of jobcentres to shift their focus from monitoring benefits to providing employment services. She emphasized the importance of empowering work coaches to support individuals in finding sustainable employment opportunities, rather than policing benefits.
Kendall also proposed linking jobcentres with the NHS to assist individuals facing health-related barriers to employment, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to addressing economic inactivity. Additionally, she pledged to introduce a “youth guarantee” to ensure that every 18-21-year-old could access training, apprenticeships, or support in finding work.
Tackling Child Poverty and Ensuring Long-Term Solutions
Addressing the issue of child poverty, Kendall expressed her commitment to prioritizing the government’s child poverty taskforce and working towards sustainable solutions to combat child poverty. She highlighted the prevalence of child poverty in her constituency and shared a poignant anecdote illustrating the dire circumstances faced by some children living in poverty.
Kendall underscored the importance of delivering impactful strategies that not only provide immediate relief but also ensure long-term solutions to eradicate child poverty. She acknowledged the challenges faced in sustaining poverty-alleviation efforts amidst political changes and emphasized Labour’s determination to implement lasting measures to address this critical issue.