The federal government has left the door open to a U-turn on controversial plans to freeze some incapacity advantages, as Downing Road makes an attempt to keep away from a rise up from Labour MPs.
It comes amid rising concern over plans for billions of pounds worth of welfare cuts expected to be announced by the government next week, amid warnings that hundreds of disabled people could possibly be compelled into poverty.
Preliminary reviews had urged that Private Independence Funds (PIP) can be frozen from rising in line with inflation for a year, however the plan has been met with sturdy opposition – and are actually anticipated to be dropped.
Requested about PIP on the BBC on Sunday, well being secretary Wes Streeting was unable to say whether or not the federal government would freeze the cost as a part of its welfare reforms this week.
“I haven’t seen the complete plans, they haven’t come to Cupboard but”, he mentioned.
“However what I do know is the work and pensions secretary desires to assist individuals who need assistance probably the most and we’ve obtained to ensure that there’s a wider vary of assist, and that everybody’s enjoying their half, together with me.
“As a result of with these ranges of sickness, for instance, if I will help folks again to well being, in lots of circumstances I’ll be serving to them again to work and that’s what we’ll do.”
He added: “I haven’t seen the proposals however you’ve seen the briefing, you’ve seen the hypothesis, I believe the ethical of the story is look ahead to the plans.”
The federal government has insisted that there’s a “ethical case” for implementing the package deal of welfare cuts, that are designed to save lots of between £5bn and £6bn – but it surely has drawn the ire of a number of Labour MPs and friends.
Concern from MPs arose after Downing Road couldn’t assure that probably the most weak disabled folks can be unaffected by the modifications. Nonetheless, No 10 insisted it is going to “shield those that can not work”.
A vote to freeze PIP would probably spotlight divisions inside the social gathering regardless of Ms Reeves arguing on Friday that the government needed to “get a grip” on the welfare bill.
The government has held a number of meetings with Labour backbenchers in order to persuade them of the plans, which have sparked concern across the party, with even cabinet ministers understood to be divided on the issue.
Sources have since told the BBC the government is looking at backtracking on the PIP freeze in order to stave off the impending rebellion.
It comes after the government announced that disabled people will have the right to try employment without the risk of losing their benefits, in what’s seen to be one other main concession in its plan to slash the welfare invoice.
Ms Kendall is predicted to announce laws to introduce a “proper to strive assure” that can forestall folks receiving health-related benefits from having their entitlements mechanically reassessed in the event that they enter employment.
The welfare cuts will come ahead of chancellor Rachel Reeves’ spring assertion on March 26, the place she is predicted to make a raft of public spending financial savings to make up for tightening fiscal headroom and steadiness the books.
However, she added that the system badly needed to be reformed to ensure people didn’t spend a lifetime on benefits, adding: “It’s terrible for the country too, as spending on the costs of failure soar. The sickness and disability bill for working age people has increased by £20bn since the pandemic, with a further £18bn rise to £70bn projected over the next five years.
“We must fix this broken system for the people who depend on it and the country as a whole.”
Meanwhile, defending the plans, Mr Streeting warned that many people in the current welfare system are “stuck in a trap of jeopardy”, as they want to return to work but are scared they wouldn’t be able to get their benefits back if it doesn’t work out.
“If you’re someone who is in the benefit system and there’s a job opportunity available, and you think ‘I might be able to take the plunge and go for it’ – you’re stuck in this trap of jeopardy”, he told Sky News.
“You think, if I take it and it doesn’t work out, I go straight back to square one, not onto the benefits I was on before, but right back to applying for the benefits and going through what can be an ordeal.”
He added: “There are lots of things that we are going to do to support people back to work, to provide more security”.
A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson said: “We have been clear that the current welfare system is broken and needs reform, so that it helps long-term sick and disabled people who can work to find employment, ensuring people receive the support they need, while being fair to the taxpayer.
“Without reform more people will be locked out of jobs, despite many wanting to work. That is not just bad for the economy, it’s bad for people too.”
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