Welfare Reform - Constituent concerns and DWP response

24 February 2009

A number of constituents have contacted me with concerns about how the recently announced welfare reforms will affect either them or people that they know.

There has been a general feeling that the main message of these reforms has been about 'cracking down' on those who don't want to work rather than helping people back into work.

Of particular concern for me and many of my constituents has been the potential impact of these reforms on people with disabilities or mental health problems and the possibility that such people will be encouraged to take up work at all costs, even if it is conducive with their wellbeing or compatible with their condition.

As such, I have contacted the Department of Work and Pensions on a number of occasions to pass on the specific concerns of constituents.  I also suggested that the Government should value the many different ways that people can contribute to society, for example volunteer work, rather than simply focusing on paid employment.

Although I have not been convinced by the responses that I have received that the new welfare reforms are the best way to make progress on this issue, I have received a number of reassurances from Ministers.

Jonathan Shaw MP, Minister for Disabled people, suggested that it was not the intention of the department to present the reforms as a 'crackdown' and instead claimed that this was an image being portrayed by "certain elements of the media".   The Minister also stated that "it is critical to make this clear to people on those benefits because unless they feel confident that we are trying to help them rather than catch them out, our policies will not be effective".

Furthermore, Tony McNulty MP, Minister for Employment and Welfare Reform, argued that the new system will "identify those that should not be expected to consider a move into full-time work".  The Minister also stated that he agreed with me that "contributions to society can be made in numerous ways".