Welfare Reform Will Lead To “Unintended Consequences” To Social Care NCF Says
In what has been called the “largest welfare reforms for a generation” the government has this week announced proposed changes to the welfare system which include changes to PIP, Work Capability Assessments and Universal Credit as part of a drive on getting more people into work and making £5bn worth of savings.
The new measures are designed to ensure a welfare system that is “fit for purpose and available for future generations” – opening up, the government say, employment opportunities, boosting economic growth and tackling the spiralling benefits bill, while also ensuring those who cannot work get the support, they need as part of the government’s Plan for Change.
This will, according to Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, the end years of inaction, which has led to one in eight young people not currently in work, education or training and 2.8 million people economically inactive due to long term sickness – one of the highest rates in the G7.
The number of people receiving one of the main types of health and disability benefit, Personal Independence Payments (PIP), has also risen rapidly and is becoming unsustainable. The National Care Forum (NCF) – has responded to the publication of the government’s Green Paper on reforming the benefits system.
Liz Jones, Policy Director at the National Care Forum said:
“While we welcome the government’s ambition to support more people into work or to stay in work, the sheer scale of the envisioned £5bn of accompanying cuts is extremely concerning for everyone relying on PIP – a payment designed to help with the costs caused by a disability – and will lead to unintended consequences in terms of access to social care services.”
“Many people use their PIP to help pay for adult social care support and social care charges from their local authorities. The Green Paper states that DHSC is planning to carry out research on the link between the adult social care system and PIP. This link must be fully understood before such far-reaching reforms are implemented. We must also recognise that there will always be people who need the support of a well-functioning social security system who cannot work for a variety of reasons.”
“We worry that the ambition to reduce costs will undermine the drive to get more people into work as it doesn’t deal with the root problems. The government’s own analysis, as well as those by the Resolution Foundation and Joseph Rowntree Foundation, highlight growing
levels of sickness together with poor mental and physical health – a cut to welfare doesn’t solve these underlying issues.”
“If the government’s ambition is to support more people with learning and physical disabilities into work, it must recognise the power of adult social care to maintain people’s health and wellbeing, as well as support people into work, to return to work and to remain in work. Government should consider how it can make sustained and significant investment in adult social care as a key part of the nation’s infrastructure to get Britain working and unlock growth.”
“As one of the largest employers across the country, adult social care will be key to the success of the measures in the Employment Rights Bill as well as the Green Paper in ensuring that working conditions enable people to thrive and stay healthy. Any investment should reflect this, as well as the additional cost pressures incurred by the unfunded increase in employer’s National Insurance Contributions from April.”
“Cuts in social security support will not, in themselves, drive people into work but do risk driving people into poverty without providing the necessary help to support them into work and to enable employers to employ them.”
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said: “Our social security system must be there for all of us when we need it, now and into the future. That means helping people who can work to do so, protecting those most in need, and delivering respect and dignity for all.”
“Millions of people have been locked out of work, and we can do better for them. Disabled people and those with health conditions who can work deserve the same choices and chances as everyone else.”
“That’s why we’re introducing the most far-reaching reforms in a generation, with £1 billion a year being invested in tailored support that can be adapted to meet their changing circumstances – including their changing health – while also scrapping the failed Work Capability Assessment.”
“This will mean fairness for disabled people and those with long term health conditions, but also for the taxpayers who fund it as these measures bring down the benefits bill.”
“At the same time, we will ensure that our welfare system protects people. There will always be some people who cannot work because of their disability or health condition. Protecting people in need is a principle we will never compromise on.”
