Press Release

Reform is too crucial to be sidelined: Charity plea to new minister

2 November 2005

NATIONAL charity Shaw Trust has welcomed the appointment of John Hutton to the role of Work and Pensions Secretary and urged him to stay focused on the vitally important agenda of Incapacity Benefit reforms.

The charity is eager to ensure that his appointment does not delay desperately-needed renovation to the IB system already proposed by his predecessor David Blunkett.

"We urge the new Minister not to delay but to press ahead urgently with the very important task of IB reform," said Ian Charlesworth, Managing Director of national charity Shaw Trust, which is the leading UK provider of employment services for disabled people.

"We look forward to working with him on the difficult but essential work which lies ahead, as thousands of people are currently suffering from a system that punishes people who want to work."

"It is absolutely vital that the department's reforms, and the debate about them, are still given centre stage. We, and the government, want to support as many people as possible into employment and we hope that the reforms will be empowering for those who can work, and also give disabled people the right to take control of their own lives," he said.

But the charity has warned the government that it needs to take into account the needs of those on incapacity benefit as well as the needs of the economy.

"Punitive methods of forcing people back into work can only be counterproductive.  The system needs to be smart and flexible enough to encompass the huge variety of conditions we see amongst our clients and take their needs into account.  And it's needed sooner rather than later," added Mr Charlesworth.

Shaw Trust, which campaigns to remove the barriers that keep people out of work, helped over 40,700 people last year alone.

It also specialises in Recruitment, Retention and Condition Management services, and continues to support both employee and employer after the job contract is signed.

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