Northern Ireland Anti-Poverty Network
Welfare
Reform – Punishing the Poor
The latest welfare reforms proposed by the Westminster government are not
‘based on the real world’ says the NI Anti Poverty Network. The Network says
that there were never enough jobs in the unemployment black spots to give
everyone work but, with the job losses that have accompanied the economic
downturn, there is even less chance now for many of finding paid work.
NIAPN Director, Frances Dowds says that “threatening them with benefit cuts
is not going to help ill or disabled people back to work. In fact, research has
shown that the stress of trying to live on low wages and lower benefits leads to
mental ill-health, particularly depression. So benefit cuts – and the threat of
them – are likely to make even more people ill.
“We know from our work with people living on benefits that most people want
to work”, says Ms Dowds. “New Labour Ministers quote schemes that have helped
lone parents and disabled people into employment. Where these exist and where
there are jobs, they can make a real difference. But very often, by the time the
proposals reach NI, there are no resources attached – we get all stick
and
no carrot.”
For example, says NIAPN, disabled people have told the Network that the
support which is available to those who want to train for work is not
sufficient. Training courses are not long enough to allow those who have been
failed by the education system to gain the qualifications they need for a job.
Employers discriminate against people with disabilities, especially when there
are few jobs going and lots of people applying for them. The lack of accessible
public transport and especially door-to-door transport makes it even more
difficult for disabled people to get and keep paid employment.
Lack of services, particularly childcare, is an issue for lone parents also
according to NIAPN’s Chair, Marie Cavanagh. “Here in the North of Ireland, we
have the most expensive and scarce childcare in Western Europe. We have
fewer than one childcare place for every six children under the age of five and
that includes childminders. And what childcare there is available is generally
in the more affluent areas. So, what are lone parents supposed to do when the
new regulations come in?”
The Anti Poverty Network is also concerned at the government’s plans to
expand the role of private companies in dealing with people on benefits. Frances
Dowds says “it is likely to award contracts on the basis of meeting targets for
getting people off benefits – increasing the pressure on “advisers” from private
firms to push people into work or training, even where it is unsuitable.”
More information from
Northern Ireland Anti-Poverty Network
58 Howard Street
Belfast BT1 6PJ
T: 028 9024 4525
E: info@niapn.org
