The Employment Minister, Rt Hon Chris Grayling, recently welcomed the country’s biggest quarterly rise in employment which has been primarily driven by the private sector. However, the fact that these jobs are not being filled by people on benefits has sparked his concern. Statistics released by the Office for National Statistics show that while the number of people in employment increased by over 280,000 on the quarter, the 3 million people claiming the three main out of work benefits (Jobseeker’s Allowance, Incapacity Benefit and Income Support) has not decreased significantly, with a marginal rise this month in the number of people receiving Jobseeker’s Allowance.
Commenting upon this issue the Rt Hon Chris Grayling said:
Today’s jump in employment, driven by the private sector, is good news but it doesn’t disguise the fact that the system the Government inherited is failing to get people on welfare into these jobs. It is neither fair for the nearly five million people on benefits, nor the taxpayer who supports them.
That’s why we are pressing ahead with retesting everyone claiming incapacity benefits and introducing our new Work Programme, which will give people the tailored support they need to move them into sustained work”
The most recent Department for Work and Pensions figures show that roughly 2.6 million people are claiming Incapacity Benefit/Employment Support Allowance, with the number of lone parents claiming income support hovering around 675,000.
