The Department for Work and Pensions could allow benefits claimants to swap cash payments for job coaching under a huge shake-up. The DWP and Labour Party government are exploring giving benefit claimants the chance to swap cash for mental health therapy, too.
Proposed Changes
Under a proposed shake-up, claimants would be offered different types of support, including physiotherapy and skills training. One senior government figure said there was “definite interest” in allowing benefits payments to be spent “on a mix of employment, skills and health support”. Claimants would be assessed on their needs and then “given an offer of cash plus support”, the person said. It comes amid growing pressure for the DWP to trim its ballooning welfare bill.
Full List of Alternatives
The full list of alternatives would feature:
- Therapy
- Physiotherapy
- Skills training
- Jobs coaching
Political Reactions
Andy Burnham, who is seen by many to be Prime Minister-in-waiting, has said his “plan would be to reduce the welfare bill” by getting people into work, rather than “crude cuts”. Wes Streeting, another likely leadership candidate if Mr Burnham wins the Makerfield byelection on Thursday, June 18, has also said “we need to cut the benefit bill” and that “the best way of doing that is by getting people to work”, rather than “an arbitrary cut”.
Expert Opinions
“Starting the welfare debate with how to achieve savings isn’t productive. The right question is: how do you design a system that enables people to live the fullest life they possibly can? The answer is by providing choice,” said Louisa Dollimore, GGF director of strategy. Kieran Aldred, policy manager at disability charity Scope, said: “Access to high-quality therapy and personalised support could help some disabled people, but it must not come at the expense of the financial support they rely on. No one should be forced to choose between essential income and the support they need.”
Government Statement
The DWP said: “We are moving from a welfare state to a working state, giving people the support they need to move out of poverty and into employment, while always protecting those who will never be able to work.”
