Downing Street Says » Incapacity Benefit/New Deal

Asked to comment on the article in the Financial Times about incapacity benefit, the PMOS said that as he had said yesterday the best thing was for people to wait for the five-year welfare plan which would be published shortly. Without pre-empting that, it was also worth drawing attention to what the Government had already done in this area. For example the New Deal had helped over 1 million people into work. The New Deal for disabled people had helped 45,000 people into work. The New Deal for lone parents had helped 276,000 people into work. These initiatives had helped many people make the transition into work. There had also been pilot schemes on pathways to work, helping sick and disabled people back into work, and the five year plan would build on those schemes. The Government was not starting from scratch and had already achieved a lot in this are, but the five-year plan would take us further. He would not comment on the article in the FT other than to say that it was inaccurate.

Asked what evidence there was that the New Deal had helped people to work, the PMOS said that in terms of the 1 million individuals who had found jobs through the New Deal. Put to him that other people had found jobs, in some cases faster, the PMOS said that may be the case but what the New Deal had done was help people acquire the skills they needed, which was very important. New Deal 50 for instance had helped 29,000 people age 50 and over back to work as well, raised the employment of people between 50 and pension age to 70% from 65% since 1997. That was the sort of detail which suggested it worked.

1 Comment »

Whilst I have a degree already and a fare bit of work experience, I cannot get a job because I am too old (42)or not up to date in my training/education! I have been out of work for two years claiming incapacity benefit. I am now well enought o seek work. But, I need to update my training – there are no postgraduate courses or professional courses that can be funded by the ‘New Deal’ – why? Where does this leave people like me. I am constantly getting the door closed in my face by employers and the jobcentre plus advisors have no knowledge of how I should go about getting training other than a whole new career!? – HELP PLEASE
Comment by Gordon Paterson — 19 Mar 2005 on 4:05 pm | Link

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» Wednesday, January 26, 2005

Incapacity Benefit/New Deal

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