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In the midst of impending changes to the welfare system by the government, Sir Keir Starmer is confronting growing dissatisfaction. Scheduled for announcement on Tuesday by Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, the reform plans aim to enhance employment rates and lessen benefit expenditures. With a focus on Personal Independence Payments (PIP), which assist individuals with long-term health conditions and disabilities in covering additional living expenses, ministers have been scrutinizing eligibility criteria.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting emphasized concerns about an “over diagnosis” of mental health conditions during an interview with the BBC. He expressed worries about too many individuals being prematurely disregarded. In response, Citizen’s Advice CEO, Dame Clare Moriarty, criticized the government for hastily withdrawing funds from the system without sufficient groundwork for supporting individuals into employment. She suggested that the government’s actions were not aligned with efforts to elevate living standards, combat child poverty, and reduce reliance on emergency food aid.
Numerous backbenchers have voiced frustration over the lack of communication from ministers, with some labeling engagement sessions held by No 10 as superficial exercises. Initial reports indicated that PIP would not be adjusted in line with inflation for a year, leading to rebellion from typically loyal Labour MPs. The notion of freezing PIP was strongly opposed by many MPs, highlighting the importance of providing support to those with severe disabilities. Furthermore, Labour’s Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham warned against hasty benefit modifications that could perpetuate poverty, particularly emphasizing the importance of maintaining necessary support for disabled individuals who are unable to work
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