, Labour’s Shadow Work
and Pensions Secretary, commenting
on new statistics showing a rise in the number of people on
Universal Credit with a health condition or disability that
restricts their ability to work, said:
“The Tories are holding back the economy and driving up the
benefits bill.
“By failing to support people into work, Ministers are presiding
over a monumental waste of potential, including among the rising
number of over 50s on sickness benefits.
“Labour has a plan to get Britain working. We will
reform welfare and help people into good jobs across
every part of the country.”
Ends
Notes:
New DWP statistics published today show 1.7 million people were
on Universal Credit with a health condition or disability
restricting their ability to work in March 2023, compared to 1.3
million a year earlier.
Of these, 1.1 million (67%) were assessed as limited capability
for work and work-related activity (LCWRA). 38% were aged 50
plus.
DWP Statistics, Universal Credit Work Capability Assessments,
April 2019 to March 2023, 8 June 2023,
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/universal-credit-work-capability-assessment-april-2019-to-march-2023/universal-credit-work-capability-assessments-april-2019-to-march-2023
ONS statistics show the number of people who are economically
inactive due to long-term sickness has increased to a record high
of 2.6 million.
ONS, ‘Labour Market Overview, UK: May 2023’, 16 May
2023,
https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/bulletins/uklabourmarket/may2023
Jonathan Ashworth’s January 2023 speech outlining Labour’s
approach to reforming employment support and social security can
be found at: https://labour.org.uk/press/jonathan-ashworth-speech-at-the-centre-for-social-justice/
