Ministers ponder incapacity benefit reforms
Press Review 16 December 2004
The government is considering replacing incapacity benefit with a flat-rate allowance in order to cut the number of long-term sick and disabled on welfare.
Blair 'backs down on disabled benefits'
Press Review 15 December 2004
The Independent reports that the prime minister is to back down on plans to limit the amount of time for which people can claim incapacity benefit.
Incapacity benefit reform urged
News Article 6 December 2004
Incapacity benefit must be radically reformed if the government wants to achieve its full employment and social justice goals, according to a leading think tank.
Blair: Pensions to be paid for by benefit crackdown
News Article 15 October 2004
The prime minister has hinted at tough action on benefits to fund increases in pensions.
PM sets out third term plan as report reveals massive pensions gap
Press Review 12 October 2004
Tony Blair yesterday sought to pre-empt the findings his Pensions Commission today by claiming the next wave of welfare reforms will aim to fundamentally change the relationship between the individual and the state.
Tony Blair: Welfare reform speech in full
News Article 11 October 2004
The full text of Tony Blair's speech setting out his proposals for welfare reform in the third term of a Labour government.
Blair announces welfare overhaul
Press Review 11 October 2004
Tony Blair will today set out how he would radically overhaul the welfare state if Labour won a third term.
Blair promises sweeping welfare reform
News Article 11 October 2004
Tony Blair has said the next wave of reforms to the welfare system will aim to fundamentally change the relationship between the individual and the state.
Welfare to work effort undermined
Press Review 28 June 2004
For the first time more than 50 per cent of incapacity benefit claimants have been in receipt of the payment for more than five years.
Forum of Private Business
Government Affairs Website
Former minister slams New Deal
Press Review 18 May 2004
The New Deal and tax credit programme have trapped thousands of workers in low-paid jobs, a former minister has said.
Benefit reforms have 'increased crime'
Press Review 7 April 2004
The government's crackdown on unemployment benefit has led to an increase in crime as former claimants search for a new "income", according to a new study.
MPs welcome benefit reforms
Press Review 1 April 2004
MPs on the Commons public accounts committee will today welcome reforms to the way incapacity and disability benefit claims are assessed.
Housing benefit set for reform
Press Review 11 March 2004
Pilot tests of reforms to the way housing benefit is paid have proved "as good as we dared hope", work and pensions secretary Andrew Smith said yesterday.
TUC slams dole reforms
News Article 20 February 2004
Unions have hit out at plans to force benefit claimants to look for work as far as 90 minutes travelling time away from their homes.
