‘RIGHT TO TRY’ GUARANTEE FOR WELFARE CLAIMANTS TO BE INTRODUCED – The Government is also expected to announce welfare spending cuts ranging from £5 billion to £6 billion
People on welfare will soon be able to try working without the risk of losing their benefits, as part of Labour’s welfare system overhaul.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall is set to introduce legislation ensuring a ‘right to try’ guarantee for those receiving health-related benefits. This would prevent recipients from automatic reassessment if they attempt employment but later find they are unable to continue working.
A Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) survey found that 200,000 people on disability or health-related benefits want to work, provided they receive the right support and job opportunities. However, many fear they would lose their entitlements permanently if they attempt employment and it does not work out.
Since taking office, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has criticized the UK’s welfare system, calling it “broken” and “indefensible”, arguing that it prevents millions from entering the workforce.
The Government is also expected to announce welfare spending cuts ranging from £5 billion to £6 billion. However, reports suggest that ministers may reverse some of their plans, particularly regarding Personal Independence Payments (PIP). Initially, there were proposals to cancel an inflation-linked increase for disabled individuals—including those unable to work—but Downing Street and the DWP may now reconsider this decision.
