Government benefits policy to force people back to work
is out of step with economic reality, says Unite
17 February 2011
The government’s plans to manipulate the benefits system to
force people back to work, when unemployment is soaring, is out of
kilter with reality, Unite, the largest union in the country, said
today (Thursday, 17 February).
Unite said there seems to be ‘large degree of dysfunction’
between Works and Pensions Secretary, Iain Duncan Smith’s desire
‘to make work pay’ and the hardline economic and fiscal policies of
Chancellor, George Osborne which are ‘designed to sacrifice jobs in
pursuit of the Holy Grail of deficit reduction’.
Unite was commenting as the Welfare Reform Bill was unveiled
today with its aim of creating a single universal benefit by
2013.
Unite Assistant General Secretary, Services, Gail Cartmail said:
‘It is clear that the coalition is speaking with two different
voices. Iain Duncan Smith appears to want to use the benefit system
to drive the unemployed to seek jobs that don’t exist – mainly due
to his colleague, George Osborne’s tunnel vision policy of pursuing
the Holy Grail of deficit reduction which is already throwing
thousands of people out of work.’
‘There is a large degree of dysfunction in government policy as
there seems to be no policy to boost manufacturing industry and
support exports – ministers want the private sector to create the
jobs lost in public services, but without creating the climate and
mechanisms to achieve this.’
‘UK unemployment rose by 44,000 to almost 2.5 million in the
three months to the end of December, with youth unemployment
particularly serious, reaching a record high, with more than one in
five 16 to 24-year-olds out of work. The unemployment rate is now
7.9 per cent, with youth unemployment running at 20.5 per
cent.’
‘The 'work shy' argument is that these changes will tackle long
term unemployment, however, as the data shows, young people simply
have not been given a chance to do any job and prospects for young
people getting into work diminish as their period of unemployment
goes on.’
‘So, the arguments put forward are perverse. The government
today pointed to an increase in jobs available - but we know there
are record numbers of men and women forced to work part-time when
they want full-time employment, as either their hours have been
reduced or that’s the only work on offer. I challenge anyone in the
Cabinet - especially the 18 millionaires - to exist on low paid,
part-time hours.’
Gail Cartmail also attacked the myth that that Britain was
suffering ‘a sick note culture’.
‘The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development has said
that only 13 per cent of sickness absence is regarded as suspect -
and they say employers should be more proactive in involving
occupational health specialists.’
Gail Cartmail said: ‘On a technical level, there may be a case
for reducing the number of benefits, as outlined in the bill, to a
fewer number, as they can be confusing. A simpler system would be
better and this needs to be explored further. But it should not be
at the expense of fairness and supporting people seeking work or
those who need a roof over their head.’
-ends-
Note to news editors:
For further information, please contact Unite communications
officer, Shaun Noble on 07768 693940
