UK government welfare policies
Posted on Thursday, October 16, 2008 at 9:03am
one response
Today I am backing calls by the Trade Union Congress for the UK Government to ditch its welfare reform proposals and introduce policies to help workers who are being laid off.
The new unemployment figures announced yesterday reveal that 164,000 more people are unemployed in the last quarter to August than in the previous quarter. The TUC proposals include increasing the statutory minimum redundancy pay (as promised by Labour in their 2005 manifesto), greater tax relief on redundancy payments and a reverse in cuts to front line staff at the DWP who deal with the unemployed. Ordinary people face real uncertainty in the current economic climate. The instability in world markets isn’t a distant, abstract notion: it is very real, and many people are struggling, especially those who have lost their job.
The UK Government has demonstrated in their action in the last few days that in times of economic hardship, resources can be found in an attempt to avoid economic meltdown. I sincerely believe that resources must now be found to help those who are out of work as a result of the mess that greedy City bosses have got us into. In accordance to this, adjustments to taxation policy could yield much needed help to those made redundant.
The TUC are right to point out that since 1989 the amount people can receive in redundancy without tax deductions has frozen at £30,000. It must reflect inflation rises since 1989 which mean that level should be increased to £50,000.
Ieuan Wyn Jones announced yesterday that £35 million is being allocated to help redundant workers. Of course, its high time for the UK Government to step up to the plate and show the same decisive action as Ieuan. The consequences of not acting now to help those who need help most could result in unacceptable hardship and could lead to an escalation in child poverty and fuel poverty.
“Of course, its high time for the UK Government to step up to the plate and show the same decisive action as Ieuan”
So what do you think this is, then?
£100m cash boost to help Britain’s unemployed
As the UK stands up to the challenges of the global economic climate James Purnell and John Denham have joined forces to announce a massive cash injection of £100m over the next three years to give much needed help to people who lose their jobs.
The extra cash will be available for people who are currently facing redundancy and those looking for work to help them retrain and develop their skills so that they can quickly move back into sustainable employment, either in their existing sector or a brand new one.
The additional money will come from the European Social Fund and funding from DIUS.
This money will enable people to choose exactly what they need from a range of approved training providers. It’s about making sure everyone gets the personal support they need to give them that crucial edge in getting their next job. The money will be used to pay for anything from new skills or qualifications to get people ready for work, to on-the-job training in an entirely different field.
The money will be carefully targeted to help, for example, people from sectors experiencing significant job losses and people who need support to move back to work.
Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell said:
“At a time like this we need to everything in our power to help people who lose their job. These are uncertain times and the clear message I want to send to people is that there is help is out there if the worst happens and they find themselves unemployed.
“I am delighted that John and I are able to come together and target this extra £100million to people when they most need our help so that they are in the best position possible to get back into as soon as they can.”
Skills Secretary John Denham said:
“People who lose their jobs need support to get back into work including the chance to improve their skills where necessary. That is why James and I have decided the £100 million available is best spent in this way.
“This extra funding will help the Learning and Skills Council, with local colleges and training providers, to work closely with Jobcentre Plus to make sure those people affected get access to the services they need as quickly as possible.”