Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has called for stricter benefit regulations, claiming too many people are “taking the mickey” by claiming support when they could be working.
Her remarks follow a government survey revealing that 49% of claimants say they can never work—though Kendall believes some could.
Speaking to ITV News, Kendall emphasized that financial support should only go to those who truly need it. “There are people who shouldn’t be on those benefits, and that is not good enough—we have to end that,” she said.
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While acknowledging that physical and mental health conditions fluctuate, she stressed that many people feel unable to work due to long NHS waiting lists and a lack of job centre support.
‘Get Britain Working’ Plan to Tackle Unemployment
Kendall outlined her vision for improving employment opportunities, highlighting the need for job creation and better skills training. She said her Get Britain Working plan focuses on helping those who are willing to work but struggle to find the right support.
When asked about former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s criticism of “sick note culture,” Kendall agreed that many young people, particularly those impacted by COVID-19, face real challenges. However, she warned against normalizing the idea that “doing a day’s work is in itself stressful.”
Reforming Job Centers and Reducing NHS Wait Times
With government spending on sickness and disability benefits set to rise by £20 billion during this parliament, Kendall stressed the importance of reform. She outlined plans to revamp job centres and cut NHS waiting times to help more people transition into employment.
While she did not directly address reports of potential £5,000-a-year benefit cuts for some claimants, she confirmed that the government’s official plans would be unveiled this spring.
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