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Welfare plan 'may cause poverty' Welfare plan 'may cause poverty'
(19 minutes later)
Ministers should rethink or delay plans to force lone parents, disabled people and the long term jobless into work, a senior government adviser has said. Ministers should rethink or delay plans to force lone parents, disabled people and the long-term jobless to seek work, a senior government adviser has said.
Sir Richard Tilt said the reforms could "push people into poverty" because of rising UK unemployment.Sir Richard Tilt said the reforms could "push people into poverty" because of rising UK unemployment.
Under the changes, from next week lone parents will be expected to seek work once their youngest child is 12 or face having their benefits cut. From next week, lone parents will have to look for work once their youngest child is 12 or face losing benefits.
Employment minister Tony McNulty said reform was more vital now than ever. Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell said plans would offer support to the jobless, not penalise them.
He said: "Now more than ever it is important to help people prepare for work and move closer to the labour market. 'Harmful'
"In the 1980s and 1990s people were moved onto incapacity benefits and left to languish with no help or support to return to work.
"These changes will ensure that lone parents are ready for work whenever jobs become available."
'Closer to poverty'
Sir Richard, who is head of the social security advisory committee, said the so-called "welfare to work" reforms risked "falling into disrepute".Sir Richard, who is head of the social security advisory committee, said the so-called "welfare to work" reforms risked "falling into disrepute".
He called for the changes to be delayed by one or two years.He called for the changes to be delayed by one or two years.
Currently, single parents can claim income support solely on the basis of being a lone parent until their youngest child is 16. Pushing the lone [parent] into work may actually not be in everybody's interest Sir Richard TiltSocial security advisory committee Currently, single parents can claim income support solely on the basis of being a lone parent until their youngest child is 16.
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But from Monday, those with children aged 12 and over will no longer be able to make a new claim for income support.But from Monday, those with children aged 12 and over will no longer be able to make a new claim for income support.
Instead, they will be able to claim Jobseekers Allowance if they are actively looking for work.Instead, they will be able to claim Jobseekers Allowance if they are actively looking for work.
The total amount they can receive will be almost exactly the same, but anyone not complying with the new rules could face sanctions, including having their benefits cut by up to 40%.The total amount they can receive will be almost exactly the same, but anyone not complying with the new rules could face sanctions, including having their benefits cut by up to 40%.
Sir Richard said: "Benefit rates are relatively low and if you are going to reduce someone's benefit for a few weeks by 40% you are pushing people much closer to poverty.Sir Richard said: "Benefit rates are relatively low and if you are going to reduce someone's benefit for a few weeks by 40% you are pushing people much closer to poverty.
"Of course, the child will suffer, but it's not the child that has fallen foul of the system.""Of course, the child will suffer, but it's not the child that has fallen foul of the system."
HAVE YOUR SAYThese plans deliberately target the vulnerable, as they have no power and no real voiceIFP, UKSend us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAYThese plans deliberately target the vulnerable, as they have no power and no real voiceIFP, UKSend us your comments
Sir Richard said he was concerned about the availability of suitable, affordable childcare for lone parents affected by the changes.Sir Richard said he was concerned about the availability of suitable, affordable childcare for lone parents affected by the changes.
And he said there was often a particular reason that the lone parent was staying at home.And he said there was often a particular reason that the lone parent was staying at home.
"It may be to do with disability or chronic illness, or in some cases it may be to do with behavioural problems," he said. "So pushing the lone [parent] in those circumstances into work may actually not be in everybody's interest."It may be to do with disability or chronic illness, or in some cases it may be to do with behavioural problems," he said. "So pushing the lone [parent] in those circumstances into work may actually not be in everybody's interest.
"In many cases it will be harmful and lead to further behavioural problems.""In many cases it will be harmful and lead to further behavioural problems."
Seven-year-olds But Mr Purnell said it was more vital than ever to help the jobless seek employment.
"We are not forcing people to work and leave benefits," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
"What we are saying is people should take up the support which we know works.
"I think it would be wrong at a time when it may be harder for people to find work to provide them with less help."
Struggle
Dawn Harrison, from Sidcup, south-east London, told BBC Breakfast she had to give up her job when childcare for her daughters aged 12 and 13 became too expensive.
"What it was they wanted, £1,000 up front over the summer holidays and I haven't got that sort of money," she said.
"I couldn't see the point of struggling with money, going to work and looking after them at the same time."
For lone parents already claiming income support, the changes will be phased in depending on the age of the youngest child.For lone parents already claiming income support, the changes will be phased in depending on the age of the youngest child.
From March 2009, parents of 14 and 15-year-olds will no longer be able to claim income support and from July 2009, the change will extend to parents of 12 and 13-year-olds.From March 2009, parents of 14 and 15-year-olds will no longer be able to claim income support and from July 2009, the change will extend to parents of 12 and 13-year-olds.
By October 2010, lone parents with children aged seven and over will be required to look for work in order to get benefits.By October 2010, lone parents with children aged seven and over will be required to look for work in order to get benefits.
According to the government, there are 1.8m lone parents in the UK, 56.3% of whom are in work.According to the government, there are 1.8m lone parents in the UK, 56.3% of whom are in work.
There are 738,600 lone parents on income support, and of those, just over 100,000 have children aged 12 and above.There are 738,600 lone parents on income support, and of those, just over 100,000 have children aged 12 and above.