There has been a mixed reaction to the welfare reforms announced by Iain Duncan-Smith..
Paul Jenkins, Chief Executive of the mental health charity, Rethink, has raised concerns over how the new employability assessments and Carers Allowance will be manifested:
Iain Duncan Smith has insisted that no one will lose out from his reforms, but we’re not as confident as we don’t think the system effectively recognises mental illness. The proposed conditions attached to Job Seekers Allowance will add to the worries of those who already fear they will be wrongly assessed as fit to work under the new benefits test.
We are pleased that the new Universal Credit will change the way benefits are reduced once claimants are working. The £7,000 earnings allowance for disabled people is a marked improvement on the current system and will make the transition into work easier, as well as avoiding the perverse situation where people find themselves worse off when they begin employment.
However, Rethink is disappointed by the White Paper’s failure to propose any improvements to Carers Allowance, despite its acknowledgement that the benefit is entirely unfit for purpose. Millions of carers need to see a government commitment to better support.”
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