Long-term sick must seek work in welfare shake-up

The long-term sick could be forced to find jobs or have their benefits slashed in sweeping welfare reforms.

- BARNEY DAVIS

Work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall is also preparing to make it harder for people claiming mental health benefits in the biggest shake-up of the welfare system in a decade.

According to The Times, she is looking to stop the long-term sick from being paid benefits without requirements and is likely to slash financial incentives that can see them paid twice as much as jobseekers.

“The Tories failed on welfare because they failed on work. This Labour government recognises that many sick and disabled people want to work, given the right support, but are unfairly shut out,” a government source told The Times.

“We will bring forward big reforms that help more people into work, protect the most vulnerable, and boost growth – while putting the benefits bill on a more sustainable footing.”