UK government announces plans to reform welfare system, promising to help people work, but Labour MPs express concerns over cost-cutting and impact on disabled individuals.
The UK government has announced plans to reform the welfare system, with Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall stating that the aim is to help people work. However, Labour MPs have expressed concerns that the changes may be a cost-cutting exercise.
Kendall told journalists earlier today that three million people are out of work for health reasons, and one in eight young people not currently in work, education or training. She urged patience and said that government proposals will come ‘imminently‘.
Liz Kendall is a British politician and Labour Party member of Parliament for Leicester West.
She was first elected in 2010 and has been re-elected since then.
Kendall served as Shadow Secretary of State for Care and Support from 2011 to 2015, during Ed Miliband's leadership.
She has also held various other roles within the Labour Party, including Chair of the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party.
Kendall is known for her advocacy on issues such as social care, mental health, and women's rights.
However, Labour MPs have questioned the timing and details of the plans, with some expressing concerns about the impact on disabled people.
Shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately asked Kendall if she had a collective agreement on the plans, given the media briefings and growing anxiety among disabled people. Kendall replied that Whately would need to ‘show a little patience‘ and that the government’s proposals will come soon.
Labour MP Neil Duncan-Jordan asked if McGovern would acknowledge that disabled people need more investment to help them, rather than freezes and cuts. Alison McGovern replied that she agreed with this approach.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 1 billion people worldwide live with some form of disability.
In the United States, it's estimated that over 56 million adults have a disability.
The most common disabilities include mobility impairments, followed by cognitive and mental health conditions.
Despite these numbers, many people with disabilities face significant barriers to education, employment, and healthcare access.
Efforts are being made to promote inclusivity and accessibility in various settings.
The government has faced criticism for its handling of disability benefits in the past, and some MPs have expressed concerns that the new plans may be a cost-cutting exercise.
Kendall said that treating people with dignity and respect is at ‘the heart of the government’s plans‘, but Labour MPs remain skeptical about the timing and details of the changes.
