Welfare reforms must protect the vulnerable
David Ward MP has questioned the impact of part of the Government's flagship welfare reforms.
The Government intends to withdraw 10% of housing benefit for those who have been on Job Seekers allowance for a year or more.
In Work and Pensions questions today, David Ward MP challenged the Minister over how these proposals would affect those who were genuinely unable to find work.
There are currently 1,325 people in Bradford who have been claiming Job Seekers Allowance for over twelve months and could therefor be affected by these proposals.
Commenting, David Ward said:
"The welfare system is a mess. There are major incentives for people on benefits not to go out and find a job and I welcome the steps the Government is taking to change this.
"However, these are tough times and the reforms shouldn't hit those who genuinely want work, but can't get it.
"On this particular issue I am not satisfied by the Minister's response that there will be adequate safeguards in place. The change won't be introduced until 2013 so the Government has time to get this right. I want to make sure that it does."
The number of JSA claims of 12 months and over in Bradford constituencies is as follows:
Bradford East 500
Bradford South 395
Bradford West 430
The text of David Ward MP's question appears below:
18. Mr David Ward (Bradford East) (LD): What assessment he has made of the likely effects of his proposed reductions in housing benefit entitlement on jobseeker's allowance claimants who have been unable to find work for more than 12 months. [25125]
The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Steve Webb): The detailed design of the measure is still being developed and we are carefully considering its impact. We will publish a full impact assessment to accompany the relevant legislation when it is introduced in Parliament.
Mr Ward: The proposal is obviously designed as a work incentive measure, but it could be argued that any claimant affected will represent a failure of the measure to get people back into work. What steps is the Minister taking to ensure that anyone who is affected is genuinely unwilling to find work?
Steve Webb: My hon. Friend raises an important point. The key is to try to stop people being unemployed for 12 months. He will be aware that 90% of those who come on to JSA flow off before the end of 12 months. My right hon. Friend the Minister of State is bringing forward the Work programme, which will help the most hard to help groups before the end of the 12-month period to give them the maximum chance of not being in that position in the first place, which is our priority.