This week in Parliament, Richard met with the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) who were holding a parliamentary drop-in in response to the Government's announcement of the Pathways to Work Green Paper and changes to disability benefits. Benefits are the single largest area CAB give advice on - last year they helped over 1.1 million people with individual advice about benefits - and at the drop-in they shared insights with MPs about the impact the changes will have on constituents.
Richard Fuller MP said:
I was pleased to meet with Carlos Hagi and Helen Walpole from Citizens Advice Bureau to hear their views on the Pathways to Work Green Paper. We had a constructive discussion about the Government’s proposals and shared concerns around the rushed changes being introduced. It is vital that any reforms are based on clear evidence and subject to comprehensive scrutiny before being enacted.
At the heart of this is the need to ensure that people receive the right support to move into, or return to, work. As former Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, highlighted in his reforms; work does not merely provide financial stability, but also purpose, structure, and a sense of value. Meaningful employment improves wellbeing, and helps people lead fuller, more connected lives. To achieve this, however, policies must be carefully developed through meaningful consultation and designed to genuinely support people into employment. Rushed reforms, without sufficient evidence, risk creating greater challenges in the long term. I am not convinced that the Government has yet provided the necessary evidence or clarity to justify the pace and direction of these proposed changes.
There is a clear need to look at this issue with both care and compassion, identifying where those who can work can be better supported into employment. This would not only improve lives but also help place the welfare system on a more sustainable footing.
If you have any views on the green paper, you can respond to the Government’s consultation here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/pathways-to-work-reforming-benefits-and-support-to-get-britain-working-green-paper
