New Government Sets Out Vision on Welfare Reform

Iain Duncan Smith, the new Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has today set out his overall vision on Welfare Reform.  In his speech on Welfare for the 21st Century he said “I want this Department to be at the forefront of strategy to improve the quality of life for the worst off.” The speech refers to “a deeply unfair benefits system” and talks about the need to make the system “simpler and more transparent so that work always pays.”

Citizens Advice welcomes the reform of the welfare system outlined in the speech and looks forward to the specifics of how this will be achieved.  Citizens Advice is particularly pleased to see an acknowledgement of the need for a joined up approach to “all the various benefit systems that generate such complexity and confusion” and the need for partnership working with the third sector and others to achieve this.

We believe that it is vital that the Government must consult with those organisations who work closely with benefit claimants to ensure that any planned reforms help those who need it most.