Our response to the Conservative policy paper “Work for
Welfare”
We welcome the Conservatives’ acknowledgement that work is the
best route out of poverty and that more must therefore be done to
support people to find and sustain employment. We also recognise
the economic imperative of addressing a rising welfare budget at
national and local government level. We know that one of the most
effective ways of achieving both is to offer personalised tailored
support which draws on the expertise that exists across all sectors
- private, public and voluntary.
Our experience is that whilst there are a minority of benefit
claimants who are able to work but choose not to, the vast majority
do want to work.
If those who do not want to work can be identified, then an
increase in conditionality may be effective for this group.
However, any assessment of people’s capability to work needs to be
sufficiently thorough and incorporate adequate safeguards to
protect the most vulnerable individuals, many of whom suffer from
mental health conditions which are not always easily
identifiable.
Whilst there is value in identifying those who choose not to
work, a thorough reassessment of all IB claimants would be costly
and its funding would need serious consideration.
To reiterate, it is our experience that the vast majority of
benefit recipients do want to work but face genuine barriers to
doing so. These can include the financial costs of retuning to
work, low self esteem, poor motivation, problems accessing
childcare or a lack of necessary skills. These issues need to be
addressed if these individuals are to find and sustain
employment.
Compelling people to participate in community work may have some
value. For example, it could serve to familiarise an individual
with the world of work, the discipline of regular attendance and
learning to be part of a team. However, if the community work does
not equip an individual with additional skills or address the
barriers they face then it is difficult to see what value long term
participation would have.
Additionally in order for these type of community projects to be
effective, they would have to be both suitable and properly
managed. We would echo concerns that have been raised by third
sector organisations about how this type of work would be policed
and how those mandated to participate would work alongside genuine
volunteers. These issues need to be addressed if such a system is
to work.
It is important to ensure that welfare to work programmes focus
on supporting people into work but also on helping them retain and
progress in the workplace. This means addressing the skills deficit
presented by many benefit claimants. We would like to understand
the Conservatives proposals on this in more detail.