Martyn Jones

Labour Party | Clwyd South

MP Defends Those Who The Tories Want To Oppress

Martyn Jones MP for Clwyd South stands by incapacity benefit recipients who are willing and able to return to work.
 
The Government is testing an innovative program that assists people who start claiming incapacity benefits but want to return to work.  Evidence shows that nine out of ten people who go onto incapacity expect to return to work, but current obstacles, some of which are not related to the individual’s health or disability, are preventing such expectations. 
   
Commenting on the situation, Mr. Jones says:

“The Tories may have thought it was acceptable to force people with an illness or disability into unemployment, but I say such force is absolutely intolerable.  I will not be one to tell an individual who wants to pursue ambitions that he or she is too disabled to do so.”

The Pathways to Work program currently operates in seven Jobcentre Plus Districts and sets out to assist people on incapacity benefit to return to work by providing skilled advisers to work with employers and perspective employees.  In the Pre-Budget Report, the Government seeks to extend the program to an additional fourteen Jobcentre Plus Districts starting from October 2005. 

In addition, Mr. Jones says:

“The pilot programs are having a constructive impact on assisting claimants fulfill their ambitions, and I am confident that by expanding the program, even more individuals will be able to achieve their aspirations.  I am proud to be a part of the Government that has taken such a positive and groundbreaking approach to help individuals achieve their employment goals.”