Benefits Increase But Harder Rules In Order To Claim

23rd November 2023

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has said most working-age benefits will rise by 6.7%, as he outlined plans to limit welfare access to the long-term jobless.

Mr Hunt increased benefits in line with September's inflation rate, ending speculation of a less generous offer.

But he said it was "wrong" that thousands of people were on benefits with no requirement to look for work.

He said reforms including stricter fit-to-work tests and jobseeker support would get 200,000 more people in work.

He described the package as the "biggest set of welfare reforms in a decade" in his second Autumn Statement as chancellor on Wednesday.

But disability rights groups criticised the move, with Scope describing the chancellor's statement as a "disastrous plan that demonises disabled people".

The changes are part of the UK government's £2.5bn back-to-work plan, which is aiming to get more long-term jobless people and those with health conditions and disabilities to look for employment.

In recent months, Mr Hunt, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Mel Stride, the work and pensions secretary, have spoken of their desire to get more people off benefits and into work.

Since the pandemic, the number of people out of work because of long-term sickness or disability has risen to a record high of 2.6 million, with mental health and heart disease among some of the main causes.