York's two Labour MPs have reacted to the government's plans to overhaul the country's benefits system.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall spoke to the House of Commons today (March 18) about the "failing" social security system, as she announced the plans.
Ahead of today’s announcement, MPs on Labour’s left and the party’s trade union backers hit out at the proposals, arguing they would punish the disabled and the poor.
Addressing Parliament, Ms Kendall announced the "work capability assessment" for universal credit – which is used to determine eligibility for incapacity benefit payments based on someone’s fitness for work – will be scrapped in 2028.
The plans include:
- Only the most severely disabled will be eligible for benefits.
- More face-to-face assessments will be introduced for people claiming higher amounts of benefits.
- There will be no more reassessments for people with the most severe disabilities.
- The government will be investing £1 billion into work programmes to get people back into employment.
York Outer MP Luke Charters has previously spoken out in support of the plans. Meanwhile, York Central's Rachael Maskell has raised concerns.
"This government is fixing the broken social security system inherited from the Conservatives, who wrote off millions of people, trapping them in a cycle of inactivity," Mr Charters told The Press.
He added: "I support the steps announced today, which include investment of £1 billion a year in a fairer system to help those who can work, while protecting those who cannot."
Ms Maskell, after speaking in the House of Commons, said: "I’ve repeatedly spoken out in support of disabled people to be treated with dignity, to have support to be as independent as possible, to be psychologically safe and to be kept from poverty.
RECOMMENDED READING:
-
York MP warns against ‘draconian cuts’ ahead of expected welfare reforms
-
York MP signs controversial letter calling for 'hard choices' over benefit cuts
-
Local politicians speak after farming inheritance tax protest
"This has seen government step back from freezing personal independent payments (PIP) and to make wider changes through consultation, however I continue to have significant concerns that changing the eligibility criteria to get support could leave people without the help needed and that this will not be consulted upon."
Both MPs discussed the government's green paper - "Get Britain Working" - which is now out for consultation. Ms Maskell said she will be working with disabled constituents to represent them during this.
She added: "I am very aware that three in 10 disabled people live in poverty and when major changes were last made to the social security system, 290,000 developed mental health challenges and 600 people took their life, so I call on government to be caring and compassionate, recognising that no-one chooses to be too ill to work, however recognise that in some cases, some people may be able to re-enter the labour market with the right support."
Mr Charters said that the government scrapping work capability assessments will bring "dignity" to his constituents in York Outer.
"I also welcome plans ensuring that those with the most severe conditions who are left unable to work will never have to go through reassessment again," he said.
"The new ‘right to try’ scheme announced will allow people to trial employment without losing support they are already entitled to—something which will go a long way to supporting constituents who have told me they want to go back to work.
"I believe these plans will unlock people’s potential, ensure social equality, and deliver a sustainable welfare state for generations to come."
Ms Maskell called on employers to support disabled people in work.
She said: "By enabling people to return to benefits without having to go through further assessments is a positive step as it means that people can return to support if a placement fails.
"Those that are calling for government to go further really do need to reflect on the consequences of this."
What do you think?
Send your views in a letter to: letters@thepress.co.uk
Write no more than 250 words and please provide your full name, address, and mobile number.
Share