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Ministers' benefit reform worries Ministers' benefit reform worries
(about 5 hours later)
Serious concerns have been expressed about the UK government's welfare reform proposals by the Welsh Assembly Government.Serious concerns have been expressed about the UK government's welfare reform proposals by the Welsh Assembly Government.
Ministers are worried about the impact of proposals such as "work for your benefit" on unemployed people in Wales.Ministers are worried about the impact of proposals such as "work for your benefit" on unemployed people in Wales.
They are also concerned about the financial implications of some of the schemes under considerations for the assembly government's budget.They are also concerned about the financial implications of some of the schemes under considerations for the assembly government's budget.
The UK government publishes its Welfare Reform White Paper later.The UK government publishes its Welfare Reform White Paper later.
Under the plans, unemployed people would have to work for their benefits after they have been jobseeking for two years.Under the plans, unemployed people would have to work for their benefits after they have been jobseeking for two years.
Unveiling the proposal in the summer, James Purnell, the work and pensions secretary, said the government was aiming for an 80% employment rate, and that the government would expect "more in return" from claimants the longer they remained unemployed.Unveiling the proposal in the summer, James Purnell, the work and pensions secretary, said the government was aiming for an 80% employment rate, and that the government would expect "more in return" from claimants the longer they remained unemployed.
Welsh ministers have raised concerns about the impact on vulnerable families and groups such as those with mental health conditions.Welsh ministers have raised concerns about the impact on vulnerable families and groups such as those with mental health conditions.
There's no use in saying - well you've got to try this, or you've got to try that, when there are no jobs locally Rhodri Morgan AMThere's no use in saying - well you've got to try this, or you've got to try that, when there are no jobs locally Rhodri Morgan AM
There are also fears that a removal of benefits, known as "sanctioning", could lead to increased debt and even increased crime levels.There are also fears that a removal of benefits, known as "sanctioning", could lead to increased debt and even increased crime levels.
Welfare and benefits are not devolved areas, but First Minister Rhodri Morgan has suggested that a "one size fits all" approach is not appropriate, and that what may work somewhere like London would not be suitable in some Welsh communities.Welfare and benefits are not devolved areas, but First Minister Rhodri Morgan has suggested that a "one size fits all" approach is not appropriate, and that what may work somewhere like London would not be suitable in some Welsh communities.
StrategyStrategy
He told BBC Wales: "Whether you are going to actively participate in the labour market to some extent is determined by your perception of whether there are lots of jobs available.He told BBC Wales: "Whether you are going to actively participate in the labour market to some extent is determined by your perception of whether there are lots of jobs available.
"That's going to be very different if you live in Mountain Ash than if you live on the outskirts of London.""That's going to be very different if you live in Mountain Ash than if you live on the outskirts of London."
He said a sensible labour strategy involved having a demand side to provide opportunities, and a supply side that involved people realising what they were capable of.He said a sensible labour strategy involved having a demand side to provide opportunities, and a supply side that involved people realising what they were capable of.
"Now when I discussed this with James Purnell last week, I tried to talk him through this - that the demand side has got to be right, so we have got to have schemes which enable people to see 'well I can do that so I'm going to have a go at it - yes, maybe I haven't worked for the last five years but maybe I could do that'," he said."Now when I discussed this with James Purnell last week, I tried to talk him through this - that the demand side has got to be right, so we have got to have schemes which enable people to see 'well I can do that so I'm going to have a go at it - yes, maybe I haven't worked for the last five years but maybe I could do that'," he said.
"There's got to be the something there that they think they can have a go at. There's no use in saying - well you've got to try this, or you've got to try that, when there are no jobs locally.""There's got to be the something there that they think they can have a go at. There's no use in saying - well you've got to try this, or you've got to try that, when there are no jobs locally."
He added that there was a difference in the language used in relation to the unemployed.He added that there was a difference in the language used in relation to the unemployed.
"Where we differ is on the rhetoric, you know, the implication that people who don't have jobs and who are on sickness benefit or incapacity benefit are in some way to be tagged or stigmatised as scroungers, and an implication that various bits of compulsion can be used.""Where we differ is on the rhetoric, you know, the implication that people who don't have jobs and who are on sickness benefit or incapacity benefit are in some way to be tagged or stigmatised as scroungers, and an implication that various bits of compulsion can be used."