Labour Minister pledges to end blame culture on benefits

Labour's new Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall, has announced a commitment to end the "divisive rhetoric" surrounding individuals on benefits, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive overhaul of the welfare system. In an interview with The Observer, Kendall highlighted the unsustainable rise in the number of people relying on state financial support, particularly those claiming disability and incapacity benefits. She expressed concern over the current system, which she described as "broken," and vowed to provide support for those seeking to improve their lives. Kendall criticized the previous government's approach, which she believes marginalized millions of individuals eager to work. She stated, "All of the talk about strivers versus scroungers... the people who really shirk their responsibility were the people who last sat in this office." Her remarks come as the Institute for Fiscal Studies projects that the number of working-age individuals claiming health-related benefits could rise significantly in the coming years, underscoring the urgency of reform. The Secretary outlined plans for serious reforms to job centers, including better integration with the NHS, and pledged to review universal credit. She also emphasized the importance of supporting young people aged 18-21 in finding training and employment opportunities. Despite concerns within Labour regarding potential welfare cuts in the upcoming budget, Kendall assured that reforms would not solely focus on reductions but would aim to create lasting solutions. Kendall acknowledged the significant challenges ahead, stating that restoring job centers to their original purpose as a public employment service is crucial. She affirmed her commitment to addressing child poverty, noting that the government’s child poverty taskforce has recently convened to prioritize this pressing issue.