We had a letter published in The Guardian today.
It's a response to the recent Government announcement that up to 2.6 million people currently claiming incapacity benefit would face “strict testing” in order to encourage them to work.
Here it is in full:
"Dear Sirs,
I think most people would agree that more needs to be done to help people into work. But the current debate only looks at the symptoms (2.6m on incapacity benefits face tough 'back to work' tests, 14th March). One of the root causes could be solved by a simple amendment to the benefits system.
Through our work, we come across many people with learning disabilities or mental health needs, who would like to have a job, but who need to build up their hours slowly in order to gain confidence.
When the minimum wage was first introduced people we support were able to work for 5.5 hours a week, without disruption to their benefits. But over the years increases in the minimum wage have outpaced the disregard. As a result, from this October, even people employed to work as little as 3.5 hours a week will be 5 pence above the £20 disregard, forcing them to cut their hours for the sake of 5p.
Testing will not help the people we support to find work. And unfortunately even providing more employment schemes will not solve the problem on its own. But raising the weekly disregard on earnings, even to £32 a week, could give this often overlooked part of the workforce, their first, but important, step into employment and greater independence.
Yours faithfully
Su Sayer, Chief Executive, United Response"
