This weeks figures published by the Office for National Statistics show that while the number of people in employment rose by 286,000 on the quarter, the nearly five million people claiming the three main out of work benefits has not improved significantly, with a slight increase this month in the numbers claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance.
 
The biggest quarterly rise in employment on record, driven by the private sector, was welcome news, but the fact that these jobs are not being filled by people on benefits underlines the need for urgent reform, said Employment Minister Chris Grayling.

He continued:
“Today’s jump in employment, driven by the private sector, is good news but it doesn’t disguise the fact that the system the Government inherited is failing to get people on welfare into these jobs. It is neither fair for the nearly five million people on benefits, nor the taxpayer who supports them.   That’s why we are pressing ahead with retesting everyone claiming incapacity benefits and introducing our new Work Programme, which will give people the tailored support they need to move them into sustained work.”

Latest Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) figures show that the number of people claiming incapacity benefits is estimated to be 2.605 million in July, with lone parents claiming income support at 675,000.

From next year jobseekers will benefit from the new Work Programme which will be designed to give people the right help when they need it, treating them as individuals rather than depending on what benefit they happen to be on.
 

September 16, 2010