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Welfare Reform Bill
Parliament is currently debating the Welfare Reform Bill which aims to bring in a replacement for Incapacity Benefit, to be called Employment and Support Allowance. Mind welcomes measures that will help empower sick and disabled to remain in or return to work. However, Mind is concerned that some of these proposals will have a detrimental impact on people who receive Employment and Support Allowance.
You can find out more about the Government's proposals at the Policy Benefits page.
Lobby of Parliament
The Coalition Against the Welfare Reform Bill (CAWR) are planning a national lobby and rally of Parliament on 4 December 2006 from 11am to 5pm. The rally will be opposite the St. Stephen's Entrance of the Houses of Parliament in central London, where both groups and individuals will then go to lobby their MPs. The event starts at 11am (main speakers 1.00pm) to give people a chance to come along as they have time (for example, during their lunch breaks). For latest information and news about the lobby, please visit www.welfare-reform.org.uk or contact Steve at cawrb@welfare-reform.org.uk or call 01362 850130.
Mind's view on the Welfare Reform Bill
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One of the main barriers for people with a history of mental distress who want to return to work is the attitudes of potential employers. Only 37 per cent of employers said they would in future take on people with mental health problems. Far from being an issue that people with a history of mental distress aren't willing to work, it is a greater concern that employers don‘t want to employ them. We are worried that there is nothing in the Bill to ensure - or at least encourage - employers to play as full a role as possible in helping people to move from benefit to work and to remain there. Mind believes that employers are key to the success of welfare reform.
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DWP have provided no evidence that sanctions are necessary to achieve its welfare reform objectives. We do not believe that any sanctions or conditions should be placed on people who are receiving ESA. Placing conditions on people who receive ESA could lead to people being pressurised into taking up unsuitable work-related activities and/or employment work. This could have a harmful effect on their mental health.
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There is nothing in the Bill to indicate how DWP frontline staff are to be given the level of understanding of mental health issues necessary to support effectively people with mental health problems back into work.
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From October 2006 onwards Government plans to contract out delivery of Pathways to Work on outcome-based contracts. Mind is concerned that the roll out of Pathways to Work beyond October 2006 will not benefit from the same level of funding as previously and that consequently service standards will drop. We are also worried that outcome-based contracts will mean contractors focus on getting people off benefit, as opposed to supporting people into suitable employment at a pace that suits them.
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In addition Mind is particularly worried about the fact that contractors will have the power to determine what work-related activities claimants must engage in to ensure full entitlement to benefit, vary these activities where they see fit and administer benefit sanctions.
Action you can take
More information about benefits and benefit reform can be found on the Policy Benefits page
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