Claimants of benefits 'need help to get work'

THE social security minister says he is determined to help get as many of the thousands of Plymouth people on benefits, such as PIP, into work as soon as possible - but wants employers to do more too.

- By WILLIAM TELFORD

Sir Stephen Timms, on a visit to city businesses, told The Herald that the Government is aiming to make it easier for people who are off work due to sickness to get back into employment.

He said: "My message to people in Plymouth, out of work on health grounds or disability grounds, is that the Government wants to support you to move into work."

The minister for social security and disability said both he and the Labour Government have a mission to "reduce the disability employment gap which is stubbornly high".

Plymouth has some of the highest concentrations of people on personal independence payments (PIP) in the UK.

In Millbay and Stonehouse, 36% of the population are claiming PIP - that's more than 1,500 people. Only the Newcastle area of Byker, in the North East, has a higher proportion.