DR UK says: Fix this broken system

Sun,23 August 2015
News Benefits

DR UK calls on Government to fix a broken system

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Iain Duncan Smith made a major speech today on the future of Employment and Support Allowance.

Liz Sayce, spoke to the Independent to make our views on the matter clear. Disability Rights UK says the Government needs to:

  • completely change employment support for disabled people and employers, so it’s personalised and enables people to work when they can – for instance, people with fluctuating conditions who can work some but not all of the time; there are ways of doing this and it makes sense for people to work some of the time rather than never.
  • sustain ESA benefits for disabled people who do not secure jobs. The idea of cutting ESA benefits for people on the Work Related Activity Group (announced in the budget, for claimants from 2017) is a recipe for driving more disabled people into poverty. 
  • make sure every small business can get advice when they need it on making adjustments at work and good practice in employing disabled people.

For further information see Iain Duncan Smith calls for urgent ESA overhaul as part of drive to cut down welfare costs.

See also IDS calls for further ESA assessment reform.