Latest news with #UniversalCreditBill
Daily Mirror
9 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Millions of Brits on DWP Universal Credit warned over important new rule change
The charity has issued the warning ahead of the Universal Credit Bill going through the House of Lords and all remaining stages of the bill later today Millions of Universal Credit claimants have been issued with a warning over a rule change being forced "through". National disability charity Sense has raised concerns ahead of the Universal Credit Bill passing through the House of Lords and all remaining stages of the legislation later today. Sense remains deeply worried about the Universal Credit alterations this bill aims to implement, which will result in some disabled people assessed as facing the greatest employment barriers being £47 a week worse off if they make claims after these modifications take effect. James Watson-O'Neill, chief executive at the national disability charity Sense, said: "We're grateful to everyone who campaigned to secure important concessions on this bill, but we remain deeply concerned about the impact these changes will have on disabled people who claim Universal Credit in the future. "When over half of disabled people with complex needs who rely on benefits can't afford essential bills, cutting support should never have been on the table. "We want the government to scrap its proposal to remove the health-related element of Universal Credit for disabled people under 22. This would leave thousands of young disabled people with complex needs £100 a week worse off – an unacceptable blow to those who already face significant barriers and extra costs. Any future benefits reforms must be co-produced with disabled people. "We have the ideas and expertise as disabled people, and as organisations working alongside disabled people, to make the benefits system fairer and more effective – now it's time for the government to listen." Birmingham Live reports that James continued: "The government has promised to tackle the barriers preventing disabled people from entering employment – such as negative attitudes from employers, the lack of assistive technology in JobCentres, and the unlawful denial of reasonable adjustments. "We welcome this commitment, but we will hold the government to account to ensure these changes are delivered effectively and in genuine collaboration with disabled people."
Daily Record
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
DWP boss defends welfare reform changes after PIP plans put on hold
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall acknowledged it had been a 'bumpy ride when she appeared before the Work and Pensions Committee on Wednesday. Reasons your Universal Credit may be cut by DWP Liz Kendall insisted the UK Government's welfare reforms were in 'the right place' now after she was forced to scrap most of the planned changes in the face of a Labour revolt. The Universal Credit Bill cleared the Commons after elements to restrict eligibility to PIP were scrapped, with any changes postponed until after a review led by disability minister Sir Stephen Timms in conjunction with disabled people. The Work and Pensions Secretary appeared before the Work and Pensions Committee on Wednesday and acknowledged it had been a 'bumpy ride' but the review into the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) would now be able to take a proper look at the system in conjunction with disabled people. Ms Kendall insisted the reforms had not been motivated by the Treasury's desire to cut spending but were driven by a desire to end a situation where people became dependent on benefits rather than working. Ms Kendall told the cross-party group of MPS: 'I know, always, how anxious people are when they hear about proposed changes in the benefits system. 'I think we've ended up in the right place now and I think we have a really positive story going forward about how we will work with disabled people, the organisations that represent them and other experts to make sure we get a system that's fit for the future.' She denied the proposals were motivated by the almost £5 billion they were due to save. Ms Kendall said: 'I've never started with pound signs or spreadsheets. I've always started with what I believe can help people with long-term health conditions and disabled people build a better life for themselves and our reforms are based on helping those who can work to do so, instead of writing them off and then denying them any support.' She added that her department 'ends up picking up the pieces of the problems that are deep-rooted from many other government areas'. The DWP boss continued: 'Poor health, poor opportunities, low skills, not enough jobs - those are the problems we have to tackle together.' Her department was 'at the sharp end of it' and after 'admittedly, a bumpy ride over the welfare legislation' the UK Government has to 'start shifting resources into the things that really help create better lives for people'. 'We are spending, I believe, too much on the costs of failure and not enough on the better health, better jobs, better skills that we need,' she said. 'That is extremely difficult to shift, because people rely on those benefits, and they've built their lives around them.' But, she added: 'Benefits alone is not the solution to a better life.'
South Wales Guardian
6 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Kendall defends welfare reform plan after Government forced to ditch key parts
The Work and Pensions Secretary acknowledged it had been a 'bumpy ride' but the review into the personal independence payment (Pip) would now be able to take a proper look at the system in conjunction with disabled people. Ms Kendall insisted the reforms had not been motivated by the Treasury's desire to cut spending but were driven by a desire to end a situation where people became dependent on benefits rather than working. The Universal Credit Bill cleared the Commons after elements to restrict eligibility to Pip were scrapped, with any changes postponed until after a review led by disability minister Sir Stephen Timms. Ms Kendall said: 'I know, always, how anxious people are when they hear about proposed changes in the benefits system. 'I think we've ended up in the right place now and I think we have a really positive story going forward about how we will work with disabled people, the organisations that represent them and other experts to make sure we get a system that's fit for the future.' She denied the proposals were motivated by the almost £5 billion they were due to save. Ms Kendall said: 'I've never started with pound signs or spreadsheets. I've always started with what I believe can help people with long-term health conditions and disabled people build a better life for themselves and our reforms are based on helping those who can work to do so, instead of writing them off and then denying them any support.' She told MPs on the Work and Pensions Committee her department 'ends up picking up the pieces of the problems that are deep-rooted from many other government areas'. She said: 'Poor health, poor opportunities, low skills, not enough jobs – those are the problems we have to tackle together.' Her department was 'at the sharp end of it' and after 'admittedly, a bumpy ride over the welfare legislation' the Government has to 'start shifting resources into the things that really help create better lives for people'. 'We are spending, I believe, too much on the costs of failure and not enough on the better health, better jobs, better skills that we need,' she said. 'That is extremely difficult to shift, because people rely on those benefits, and they've built their lives around them.' But, she added: 'Benefits alone is not the solution to a better life.'
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Kendall defends welfare reform plan after Government forced to ditch key parts
Liz Kendall insisted the Government's welfare reforms were in 'the right place' now after she was forced to scrap most of the planned changes in the face of a Labour revolt. The Work and Pensions Secretary acknowledged it had been a 'bumpy ride' but the review into the personal independence payment (Pip) would now be able to take a proper look at the system in conjunction with disabled people. Ms Kendall insisted the reforms had not been motivated by the Treasury's desire to cut spending but were driven by a desire to end a situation where people became dependent on benefits rather than working. The Universal Credit Bill cleared the Commons after elements to restrict eligibility to Pip were scrapped, with any changes postponed until after a review led by disability minister Sir Stephen Timms. Ms Kendall said: 'I know, always, how anxious people are when they hear about proposed changes in the benefits system. 'I think we've ended up in the right place now and I think we have a really positive story going forward about how we will work with disabled people, the organisations that represent them and other experts to make sure we get a system that's fit for the future.' She denied the proposals were motivated by the almost £5 billion they were due to save. Ms Kendall said: 'I've never started with pound signs or spreadsheets. I've always started with what I believe can help people with long-term health conditions and disabled people build a better life for themselves and our reforms are based on helping those who can work to do so, instead of writing them off and then denying them any support.' She told MPs on the Work and Pensions Committee her department 'ends up picking up the pieces of the problems that are deep-rooted from many other government areas'. She said: 'Poor health, poor opportunities, low skills, not enough jobs – those are the problems we have to tackle together.' Her department was 'at the sharp end of it' and after 'admittedly, a bumpy ride over the welfare legislation' the Government has to 'start shifting resources into the things that really help create better lives for people'. 'We are spending, I believe, too much on the costs of failure and not enough on the better health, better jobs, better skills that we need,' she said. 'That is extremely difficult to shift, because people rely on those benefits, and they've built their lives around them.' But, she added: 'Benefits alone is not the solution to a better life.'
The Independent
7 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Kendall defends welfare reform plan after Government forced to ditch key parts
Liz Kendall insisted the Government's welfare reforms were in 'the right place' now after she was forced to scrap most of the planned changes in the face of a Labour revolt. The Work and Pensions Secretary acknowledged it had been a 'bumpy ride' but the review into the personal independence payment (Pip) would now be able to take a proper look at the system in conjunction with disabled people. Ms Kendall insisted the reforms had not been motivated by the Treasury's desire to cut spending but were driven by a desire to end a situation where people became dependent on benefits rather than working. The Universal Credit Bill cleared the Commons after elements to restrict eligibility to Pip were scrapped, with any changes postponed until after a review led by disability minister Sir Stephen Timms. Ms Kendall said: 'I know, always, how anxious people are when they hear about proposed changes in the benefits system. 'I think we've ended up in the right place now and I think we have a really positive story going forward about how we will work with disabled people, the organisations that represent them and other experts to make sure we get a system that's fit for the future.' She denied the proposals were motivated by the almost £5 billion they were due to save. Ms Kendall said: 'I've never started with pound signs or spreadsheets. I've always started with what I believe can help people with long-term health conditions and disabled people build a better life for themselves and our reforms are based on helping those who can work to do so, instead of writing them off and then denying them any support.' She told MPs on the Work and Pensions Committee her department 'ends up picking up the pieces of the problems that are deep-rooted from many other government areas'. She said: 'Poor health, poor opportunities, low skills, not enough jobs – those are the problems we have to tackle together.' Her department was 'at the sharp end of it' and after 'admittedly, a bumpy ride over the welfare legislation' the Government has to 'start shifting resources into the things that really help create better lives for people'. 'We are spending, I believe, too much on the costs of failure and not enough on the better health, better jobs, better skills that we need,' she said. 'That is extremely difficult to shift, because people rely on those benefits, and they've built their lives around them.' But, she added: 'Benefits alone is not the solution to a better life.'
