Welfare Reform
The Government is committed to building a strong, healthy and prosperous society, where everyone has the opportunity to make the most of their skills and potential.
The Government wants as many people as possible to share in the rewards of work, because paid work is the best route to independence, health and well-being for most people.
We have already made significant progress with the introduction of a series of reforms to remove the barriers holding people back, to help them into work and to give them responsibility and the support they need. Our policies have helped reduce child poverty and deliver high levels of employment.
But more needs to be done to remove the barriers people face or help overcome them. This is particularly important when economic times are more difficult.
The Welfare Reform Bill was published on 14 January 2009 and supports Paul Gregg's proposals on conditionality and progression to work.
The story so far
The Welfare Reform Programme will allow us to bring about the most radical reform of the welfare state for generations. When times are tough, it is more important than ever that we provide people with the extra help they need.
We have:
- created Jobcentre Plus, a world leading welfare to work organisation
- introduced innovative employment programmes such as the New Deals
- improved incentives to work by providing greater support through the tax credit system and the introduction of the minimum wage
- rolled-out Pathways to Work nationally for people on incapacity benefits.
Welfare Reform Green Paper
During Summer 2008, the Government consulted on the next steps of welfare reform.
Employment and Support Allowance
In October 2008, we replaced incapacity benefits for new claimants with Employment and Support Allowance which focuses on what people can do, rather than what they can’t.
Lone parents
Jobcentre Plus has started running work skills trials, and a stronger framework of rights and responsibilities for lone parents beginning in November 2008.
Fair Rules for Stong Communities
On 2 December 2008 the Government outlined a wide range of policy initiatives designed to support strong communities.
- Fair Rules for Strong Communities (Number 10 website)
Paul Gregg’s report
On 2 December 2008 Professor Paul Gregg delivered his independent report on conditionality and support.
Welfare Reform White Paper
The White Paper “Raising expectations and increasing support: reforming welfare for the future” was published on 10 December 2008.
This White Paper builds on the proposals in the Green Paper “No one written off” and sets out in detail the plan for the future as part of our vision for a personalised welfare state, where more support is matched by higher expectations for all.
Welfare Reform Bill
The Welfare Reform Bill was introduced on 14 January 2009 in the Commons and went through its Second Reading on 27 January 2009.
- Welfare Reform Bill (Parliament website)
The Bill proposes to reform the welfare and benefit system to improve support and incentives for people to move from benefits into work.
It contains measures to increase personal responsibility within the welfare system. It also proposes to encourage parental responsibility by introducing a requirement for joint birth registration and by amending the law relating to child support.
The Bill also makes provision for:
- giving disabled people the right to control provision of services to them, in some cases through having the money to procure services themselves
- allowing for external provider involvement in services they think they can improve to help more people back into work, including delivery of Social Fund to help promote financial inclusion
- requiring drugs tests and compliance with a rehabilitation plan for problem users on Jobseeker’s Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance
- extending loss of benefit provision for benefit fraud, for failure to attend interviews, and for violence against staff
- streamlining the benefit system
- further strengthening enforcement powers of the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission through administrative withdrawal of passports and driving licences
- promoting parental responsibility through joint birth registration (England & Wales)
- introducing Work for your Benefit.
