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Tories spell out benefit cut plan Tories spell out benefit cut plan
(10 minutes later)
The Conservatives have outlined plans to get more people off incapacity benefit (IB) and into jobs as part of a pledge to "get Britain working".The Conservatives have outlined plans to get more people off incapacity benefit (IB) and into jobs as part of a pledge to "get Britain working".
IB claimants would be assessed to see if they could work and those deemed fit would be put on jobseeker's allowance, cutting their benefits by £25 a week.IB claimants would be assessed to see if they could work and those deemed fit would be put on jobseeker's allowance, cutting their benefits by £25 a week.
Shadow work secretary Theresa May said the plan was "fair" but ministers have described the move as "callous".Shadow work secretary Theresa May said the plan was "fair" but ministers have described the move as "callous".
The Tories' European policy has also dominated the first day of conference.The Tories' European policy has also dominated the first day of conference.
David Cameron's position on the Lisbon Treaty has been under the microscope in Manchester amid calls for a referendum, whether it has been ratified or not.David Cameron's position on the Lisbon Treaty has been under the microscope in Manchester amid calls for a referendum, whether it has been ratified or not.
'Tailored help''Tailored help'
But the Tory leader wants to concentrate on what he has described as a "big, bold" shake-up of the welfare system.But the Tory leader wants to concentrate on what he has described as a "big, bold" shake-up of the welfare system.
He told the BBC it was not about trying to reduce people's standards of living: "There are about 2.6 million people on incapacity benefit. Those who genuinely can't work, who are disabled, we as a compassionate society should look after them, should help them, and should pay their benefits, yes.He told the BBC it was not about trying to reduce people's standards of living: "There are about 2.6 million people on incapacity benefit. Those who genuinely can't work, who are disabled, we as a compassionate society should look after them, should help them, and should pay their benefits, yes.
TORY CONFERENCE TWEETS TORY CONFERENCE TWEETS
Twitter: @BBCLauraKTwitter: @BBCLauraK
David Cameron will be on stage at the conference shortly-first glimpse of him on the platform#cpc09 56 minutes ago Ken Clarke wouldn't say whether he'd campaign for a 'yes' or a 'no' in a referendum on Lisbon-'let's see' his answer ....#cpc09 About 1 hour ago Keep seeing Boris,mobbed everywhere he goes-clearly for members, the star of the show so far in Manchester#cpc09 About 1 hour ago Boris warns Cameron on Crossrail-must be paid for-Cameron hasn't promised it yet#cpc09 About 3 hours ago Boris gets his own video before his speech and an ovation as he arrives on stage-they love him#cpc09 About 4 hours ago What is this? David Cameron will be on stage at the conference shortly-first glimpse of him on the platform#cpc09 About 1 hour ago Ken Clarke wouldn't say whether he'd campaign for a 'yes' or a 'no' in a referendum on Lisbon-'let's see' his answer ....#cpc09 About 1 hour ago Keep seeing Boris,mobbed everywhere he goes-clearly for members, the star of the show so far in Manchester#cpc09 About 2 hours ago Boris warns Cameron on Crossrail-must be paid for-Cameron hasn't promised it yet#cpc09 About 3 hours ago Boris gets his own video before his speech and an ovation as he arrives on stage-they love him#cpc09 About 4 hours ago What is this?
"There are also people on incapacity benefit who could work, and what we're saying is: 'If you can work, you should work, we will help you to work, we will get you the tailored help and support'.""There are also people on incapacity benefit who could work, and what we're saying is: 'If you can work, you should work, we will help you to work, we will get you the tailored help and support'."
The Tories plan to scrap Labour's flagship New Deal back-to-work programme in favour of more personalised help, offering training courses for those unemployed for more than six months.The Tories plan to scrap Labour's flagship New Deal back-to-work programme in favour of more personalised help, offering training courses for those unemployed for more than six months.
Benefits would be cut if people refused to take part.Benefits would be cut if people refused to take part.
In an extension of an existing pilot scheme, private training firms would be used to assess all those on incapacity benefit and to prepare those capable of working of looking for a job.In an extension of an existing pilot scheme, private training firms would be used to assess all those on incapacity benefit and to prepare those capable of working of looking for a job.
The Tories say the £600m cost of the policy would be covered by savings made from moving people from incapacity benefits to jobseeker's allowance, meaning they will get £25 less per week.The Tories say the £600m cost of the policy would be covered by savings made from moving people from incapacity benefits to jobseeker's allowance, meaning they will get £25 less per week.
Shadow work and pensions secretary Theresa May said it was "only fair" that someone previously on incapacity benefit but deemed capable of working and now looking for a job should receive the same benefits as someone newly unemployed.Shadow work and pensions secretary Theresa May said it was "only fair" that someone previously on incapacity benefit but deemed capable of working and now looking for a job should receive the same benefits as someone newly unemployed.
"We are being absolutely upfront with people," she told the BBC's World At One. "There will be some cost to our proposal as we are going further and faster than government.""We are being absolutely upfront with people," she told the BBC's World At One. "There will be some cost to our proposal as we are going further and faster than government."
'On a mission''On a mission'
Shadow schools secretary Michael Gove denied it was a throwback to more hard-line Conservative policies of the 1980s, saying it was about tackling poverty and improving social mobility.Shadow schools secretary Michael Gove denied it was a throwback to more hard-line Conservative policies of the 1980s, saying it was about tackling poverty and improving social mobility.
"The Conservative Party is a party on a mission, on a crusade, to deal with deep-seated social, structural problems which have kept 20% to 30% of our people in poverty," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme."The Conservative Party is a party on a mission, on a crusade, to deal with deep-seated social, structural problems which have kept 20% to 30% of our people in poverty," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
The Tories don't seem to care about getting people into jobs, they just want to cut their benefit Jim Knight Employment minister Send us your comments Nick Robinson on the welfare plan Read Stephanie Flanders' thoughtsThe Tories don't seem to care about getting people into jobs, they just want to cut their benefit Jim Knight Employment minister Send us your comments Nick Robinson on the welfare plan Read Stephanie Flanders' thoughts
Following the Tory announcement, the government announced a number of new policies aimed at getting more than 750,000 people back into work by the end of next year.Following the Tory announcement, the government announced a number of new policies aimed at getting more than 750,000 people back into work by the end of next year.
People who have been out of work for more than six months - but have turned down work experience, support or training - will be required to take a work experience placement as a condition of receiving their benefits.People who have been out of work for more than six months - but have turned down work experience, support or training - will be required to take a work experience placement as a condition of receiving their benefits.
But Labour rejected the Conservative approach as "callous".But Labour rejected the Conservative approach as "callous".
"This is unfair on the genuinely sick who should not suffer a £25 a week cut in benefit," employment minister Jim Knight said"This is unfair on the genuinely sick who should not suffer a £25 a week cut in benefit," employment minister Jim Knight said
FROM THE WORLD AT ONE More from The World At OneFROM THE WORLD AT ONE More from The World At One
"Our plans are to get people off benefit and into work. The Tories don't seem to care about getting people into jobs, they just want to cut their benefit.""Our plans are to get people off benefit and into work. The Tories don't seem to care about getting people into jobs, they just want to cut their benefit."
But the Conservative plan was welcomed by Richard Lambert, director general of the CBI business organisation, who said: "The struggling economy and rising unemployment demand fresh thinking from all political leaders and we like the look of many of these suggestions."But the Conservative plan was welcomed by Richard Lambert, director general of the CBI business organisation, who said: "The struggling economy and rising unemployment demand fresh thinking from all political leaders and we like the look of many of these suggestions."
The Conservatives are the last of the three main UK parties to hold their annual conference, running from Monday to Thursday in Manchester.The Conservatives are the last of the three main UK parties to hold their annual conference, running from Monday to Thursday in Manchester.
They are currently riding high in the opinion polls ahead of the general election which has to be held by next May at the latest.They are currently riding high in the opinion polls ahead of the general election which has to be held by next May at the latest.
Do you think this plan would get people back to work? Would you be affected by the cuts? Send us your comments using the form below.Do you think this plan would get people back to work? Would you be affected by the cuts? Send us your comments using the form below.
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The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions