Disability Benefits Cuts Face Criticism from Former Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls
Concerns arise over proposed welfare reforms amid rising economic challenges and military spending.
Ed Balls, the former shadow chancellor of the UK, has openly criticized the government's proposed cuts to disability benefits, asserting that such measures 'won't work' during a recent podcast.
Balls highlighted the complexities facing the government as it navigates economic challenges while simultaneously increasing defense spending and reducing international aid.
He expressed concerns about targeting the most vulnerable in society, stating, 'cutting the benefits of the most vulnerable in our society who can’t work, to pay for that, is not going to work.'
Former Chancellor George Osborne, known for implementing austerity measures, weighed in by reflecting on his previous decisions regarding Personal Independence Payments (PIP).
He mentioned that during his tenure, he resisted the notion of freezing PIP payments because of the perceived unfairness it would create for disabled individuals.
Osborne commented on the contentious reforms he attempted, which he said ultimately led to the resignation of Iain Duncan Smith, the then Work and Pensions Secretary.
He noted, 'general freezes have been easier to sell than specific reforms that actually cut in cash terms the payments that certain sections of the disability-claiming community received.'
Current plans reportedly outline that nearly £6 billion in cuts will predominantly impact PIP, not directly linked to employment, with discussions suggesting tightened eligibility criteria and a proposal to freeze some payments.
In public comments, Labour leader Keir Starmer reaffirmed that the proposed changes do not signal a return to austerity.
He stated that the existing welfare system is indefensible in both economic and moral terms, emphasizing the need for effective pathways to employment without jeopardizing claimants' financial stability: 'We’ve set up a system that basically says: “If you try the journey from where you are into work and anything goes wrong, you’ll probably end up in a worse position than when you started.”'
Recent statistics from the Department for Work and Pensions have indicated a significant increase in the number of individuals on the highest rate of universal credit without any support to seek employment, which has nearly quadrupled since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
For individuals aged under 25, this number rose by 249%, from 46,000 to 160,000.
The Department noted that while an increase in those categorized as having 'limited capability for work-related activity' was anticipated with the shift to universal credit, the actual figures have significantly exceeded projections.
Balls highlighted the complexities facing the government as it navigates economic challenges while simultaneously increasing defense spending and reducing international aid.
He expressed concerns about targeting the most vulnerable in society, stating, 'cutting the benefits of the most vulnerable in our society who can’t work, to pay for that, is not going to work.'
Former Chancellor George Osborne, known for implementing austerity measures, weighed in by reflecting on his previous decisions regarding Personal Independence Payments (PIP).
He mentioned that during his tenure, he resisted the notion of freezing PIP payments because of the perceived unfairness it would create for disabled individuals.
Osborne commented on the contentious reforms he attempted, which he said ultimately led to the resignation of Iain Duncan Smith, the then Work and Pensions Secretary.
He noted, 'general freezes have been easier to sell than specific reforms that actually cut in cash terms the payments that certain sections of the disability-claiming community received.'
Current plans reportedly outline that nearly £6 billion in cuts will predominantly impact PIP, not directly linked to employment, with discussions suggesting tightened eligibility criteria and a proposal to freeze some payments.
In public comments, Labour leader Keir Starmer reaffirmed that the proposed changes do not signal a return to austerity.
He stated that the existing welfare system is indefensible in both economic and moral terms, emphasizing the need for effective pathways to employment without jeopardizing claimants' financial stability: 'We’ve set up a system that basically says: “If you try the journey from where you are into work and anything goes wrong, you’ll probably end up in a worse position than when you started.”'
Recent statistics from the Department for Work and Pensions have indicated a significant increase in the number of individuals on the highest rate of universal credit without any support to seek employment, which has nearly quadrupled since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
For individuals aged under 25, this number rose by 249%, from 46,000 to 160,000.
The Department noted that while an increase in those categorized as having 'limited capability for work-related activity' was anticipated with the shift to universal credit, the actual figures have significantly exceeded projections.
