LIZ Kendall today promises to cut the number of Brits on benefits – as she warns the jobless epidemic is “terrible” for the country.
People stuck on welfare are poorer, sicker and less happy, the Work and Pensions Secretary said.
She staked her reputation on slashing the welfare bill and getting people back to work.
Speaking to The Sun on Sunday at a job centre in Stratford, east London, Ms Kendall said: “I’ve never been swayed from my belief in the value of work.
“I believe that the benefits of work go way beyond a pay slip; that work can bring pride, self respect and dignity.
“Work is good for your mental health. And as a woman, I believe work can bring you independence and equality.”
Asked if she is staking her reputation on cutting the number of people languishing on welfare, Ms Kendall said: “Yes.
“I’m not in politics to fail. I am in politics to succeed.
“And this will be one of the biggest reforms this government does.”
Ms Kendall will this week unveil plans for a radical shake-up of Britain’s broken benefits system to get people into work.
At the heart of it is a tough new ultimatum to get young adults off welfare and in jobs.
She will promise every Brit aged 21 and under work or training. Those who refuse will have their benefits withdrawn.
Plans to cut £3 billion a year from welfare by reassessing people on long term sick and disability benefits more often will also be set out.
Ministers are increasingly worried that the UK is once again turning into the sick man of Europe.
Britain spent a staggering £150 billion on non pensioner benefits last year – and the number is predicted to carry on ballooning.
Four million people will be claiming long-term sickness benefits by 2030, according to forecasts. This is 60 per cent higher than pre Covid levels.
Shocking stats show nearly one million adults aged 24 and under are not in education, employment or training – known as NEETs.
Hitting out at the welfare epidemic blighting Britain’s youth, Ms Kendall said: “That is terrible for them.
“It’s terrible for businesses, many of whom are desperate to recruit, and it’s terrible for taxpayers seeing an ever higher benefits bill.
“And I am determined to bring that down through more and better opportunities for young people to work, to get training and to get skills.
“And in return for that, young people will have to take up those offers.
“If you’re out of work when you’re young…the consequences can be lifelong.
“It can have a long term effect on your job prospects, your ability to earn, and your health, because we know the longer you’re out of work that can be bad for your health too, which increases costs on the taxpayer.
“So my commitment to young people is this: I value you. I believe in you. I will offer you the chances and choices you deserve.
“But in return for that, you have a responsibility to take them up.”
She added: “I’ve always believed, if you can work, you must.”
Ms Kendall is “extremely concerned” about the growing number of young adults in their 20s off work because of mental health problems.
And she is “worried about the impact of social media on young people”.
Her concerns were echoed by the staff at the busy job centre Liz is visiting in east London.
They are seeing more and more young adults off work with things like depression and anxiety.
The current system of sickness and disability benefits “isn’t working at the moment”, Ms Kendall said.
“It’s not working for the people who rely on them, and we are seeing the costs rise”, she warned.
Plans to carry out more checks on people on sickness benefits are expected to be set out in the New Year.
Brits will also be given more mental health support in schools and via job centres to keep them in training or work.
The UK has no choice but to get people back to work – the mission to kickstart economic growth depends on it, Ms Kendall said.
“We are the HR department of the growth mission”, she said.
But Ms Kendall has come under fire for other welfare cuts announced.
Earlier this week, she admitted cuts to winter fuel allowance could force another 100,000 pensioners in England and Wales into poverty.
The decision to strip the £300 payments from around 10 million pensioners is hugely unpopular.
It will only save the government about £1.4 billion.
So, is the cut worth it?
“This is not a decision that any of us wanted or expected to make”, Ms Kendall said.
“The need to get the public finances sorted, though, is not something we’re going to duck.
“I understand how concerned people have been about it, but when money is tight, we took the decision to focus on pensioners in the greatest need.”
Britain’s economy is stagnating and business confidence is plummeting.
The Labour government says getting people into work and growth going again is their number one mission.
They will be judged on the results.
Ms Kendall may have the fate of her party in her hands.
