Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has claimed some benefit claimants are “taking the mickey” while outlining reforms to the welfare state, whilst acknowledging that most people on disability benefits want to work.
Speaking to ITV today, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) minister said: “I have no doubt, as there always have been, there are people who shouldn’t be on those benefits who are taking the mickey and that is not good enough – we have to end that.”
However, she emphasised that many more claimants genuinely want to return to employment, stating: “Many of them have either just lost jobs that they desperately miss, or really want to get back into to work once they’ve got their health condition under control.”
The comments follow a new survey from the DWP examining the work aspirations of health and disability benefit recipients with the Labour Government appearing to be committed in making drastic changes.
This report revealed that nearly half (49 per cent) of health and disability benefits recipients felt they would never be able to work or return to work, with two-thirds expecting their health to deteriorate further.
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Liz Kendall has slammed Britons of “taking the mickey” when it comes to benefits
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A further 27 per cent indicated they might be able to work in future if their health improved, rising to 44 per cent among those with mental health conditions as their primary health issue.
The survey, which included 3,401 benefit recipients, found that two in five were currently on waiting lists for treatment.
Half of those out of work reported that their ability to return to employment was dependent on receiving medical treatment.
The findings covered claimants receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), and those on the Universal Credit Health Journey.
In stark contrast to Kendall’s comments, a new Public Accounts Committee report has highlighted “unacceptably poor service” from the DWP with only 66 per cent of calls to the DWP are currently being answered.
This has lead to disruption for benefit claimants with Turn2us, a charity supporting people in financial hardship, warned that DWP delays and poor communication are causing serious problems.
“When payments are delayed, they struggle to afford basic essentials and care, their health deteriorates, and the stress can affect their ability to work,” said Shelley Hopkinson, head of policy at Turn2us.
The charity has previously urged the Kendall and Chancellor Rachel Reeves to focus on fixing system failings rather than “disproportionately focusing the narrative on fraud”.
Kendall acknowledged the challenges faced by benefit claimants, stating: “I don’t blame people for thinking that they can’t, because they’re stuck on a waiting list for treatment.”
She emphasised her government’s commitment to “act and put that support in place,” contrasting this with the previous Conservative administration’s approach of “writing people off.”
The Work and Pensions Secretary highlighted the need for comprehensive support: “They haven’t had the proper support that they might need from the job centre or the skills that they need to get the jobs, we’ve also got to create more jobs in the areas that need them most.”
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Keir Starmer has previously called for DWP reform
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Kendall added: “I’m under no illusions about the scale of the challenge that we’ve got. I believe more of those people could work. But even if we just start with those who say they can, we need to do more to get them back into work.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has previously called on Britons who claim long-term sickness benefits should be made to return to work “where they can”.
Speaking to the BBC last year, the Labout leader said: “The basic proposition that you should look for work is right. People need to look for work, but they also need support.
“That’s why I’ve gone out to look at schemes where businesses are supporting people back into work from long-term sickness.”
