Changes to the work capability assessment are at the heart of Labour plans
‘Urgent’ disability benefit reform backed by Lords after Starmer warns of ‘ruthless’ cuts
An inquiry by House of Lords members has recommended “urgent” reforms be made to the UK’s disability benefits system, pressing the government to push ahead with planned changes.
Writing to DWP secretary Liz Kendall, the House’s Economic Affairs Committee advises that welfare spending must be reduced or else it will “remain a challenge” for the government. The inquiry report points out that £65 billion a year is now spent on health-related benefits in the UK, which is more the government’s spend on defence (£54 billion).
In a wide-ranging letter, committee chair Lord Bridges of Headley argues that there too many incentives to claim health-related benefits under the current system, while there are too few to find work once they are being claimed. He recommends there be ‘no delay’ in planned reforms to how claimants of health-related benefits are assessed.
‘Urgent’ disability benefit reform backed by Lords after Starmer warns of ‘ruthless’ cuts