24 July 2006
HANSON AND EAGLE PLEDGE TO BREAK DOWN THE BARRIERS TO WORK
New legislation to break down the barriers to the workplace will be introduced in Northern Ireland.
Welcoming the Welfare Reform Bill, which is currently before Parliament, Social Development Minister, David Hanson MP, and Employment and Learning Minister, Maria Eagle MP, pledged to introduce similar measures for Northern Ireland. The Bill introduces a new Employment and Support Allowance to replace incapacity benefits which will help give individuals more relevant support to help them stay in or return to work.
David Hanson said:"For far too long some people have been written off by the system. This has to stop. We are putting in place additional tailored help and support to help people back into work and I am confident that they will play their part by taking the necessary steps to get back into work.
"This is not about forcing people who are not fit to work back into work. This is about providing people with the necessary help and support to be able to return to or stay in work. We know that some people due to their illness or disability will need the extra help and assistance that only the welfare state can provide and they will continue to receive their benefits without conditionality."
Confirming that the new measures will build on the success of the Pathways to Work Pilots, Maria Eagle said: "Pathways to Work pilots are already providing the support that those with manageable health conditions and disabilities need to help make the transition to work, where that is possible. The initiative has been well received and is improving the lives of those who have participated and their families.
"As well as moving into work, many have been able to benefit from a range of measures which include a Return to Work Credit of up to £40.00 per week and innovative Condition Management Programmes, delivered in partnership with the Health Service, aimed at helping people manage their health condition in the work context."
The new legislation will also provide more power to tackle benefit fraud which will strengthen the "two strikes" rules so that people who commit a second benefit offence within five years of their first one can have their benefit withdrawn. There will also be a framework to reform and improve the design and administration of Housing Benefit including the introduction of a Local Housing Allowance across the private rented sector. In addition, the Bill will include a provision for a sanction to be imposed on the payment of Housing Benefit to tenants evicted for anti-social behaviour.
David Hanson said: "The threat of sanctioning Housing Benefit will send a clear signal to the handful of people evicted each year for anti-social behaviour that they must address their problem behaviour and engage in rehabilitation."
Further steps to increase employment opportunity - such as providing more support to lone parents and breaking down the barriers to work experienced by older people - will be implemented through secondary legislation.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- The Welfare Reform Bill can be accessed at www.dwp.gov.uk/aboutus/welfarereform
- Media enquiries to the Department for Social Development Press office on 028 9082 9497.
- Pathways to Work has been piloted in Ballymoney, Lurgan and Magherafelt since October 2005. The pilot was recently expanded to include Newry, Newtownabbey and Enniskillen. A further expansion phase will be announced in early October. Further information on Pathways to Work can be found on the Department for Employment and Learning's website at www.delni.gov.uk.
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