Proposed Welfare Changes - Leigh-on-Sea

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Leigh On Sea News: Proposed Welfare Changes – THE MP for Southend West & Leigh has responded to the recent announcement of changes to welfare rules.

Proposed Welfare Changes – THE MP for Southend West & Leigh has responded to the recent announcement of changes to welfare rules.

THE MP for Southend West & Leigh has responded to the recent announcement of changes to welfare rules.

David Burton-Sampson said: “I would like to thank everyone who has contacted me concerning the proposed changes to Welfare which were announced yesterday.

“Prior to the announcement, there was a significant amount of speculation in the media as to what changes may be coming. Having now heard the statement from the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and met with her today, I wanted to share an updated.

“After 14 years of damaging Conservative rhetoric on benefits and cuts, people are understandably fearful when they hear about changes to the benefits system. I want to be clear up front that the reforms announced by the government will not result in any immediate changes to anyone’s benefits. I believe that we need a welfare state that is there for all of us when we need it, now and in the future, that protects those most in need, and that delivers equality and dignity for all.

“There will always be some people who cannot work, and I assure you that we will protect them.

Many sick and disabled people want to work, and they deserve the same choices and chances as everyone else to do so. I’m proud that the government is already tackling the drivers of people being out of work and supporting people into good jobs. We’re investing an additional £26 billion in the NHS to drive down waiting lists and getting people fit to work, making work pay with our landmark Employment Rights Bill, and introducing the biggest reforms to employment support in a generation, with our £240 million Get Britain Working Plan.

“The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has announced that we’re going even further, investing £1 billion into employment support. This is one of the largest ever investments in support to increase opportunities to work for sick and disabled people, guaranteeing high quality, tailored support to get people on a Pathway to Work.

“This will come alongside a package of reform to support people into jobs and make the broken system fairer and more sustainable. I’d like to highlight a few of these measures that I believe will make a significant difference to our country and people’s life chances.

“First, we are addressing the perverse financial incentives that hold people back from work under the current system by rebalancing the payments in Universal Credit. This means that we are increasing the standard allowance above inflation for the first time ever, with a £775 cash increase per year by 2029/30 for existing and new claimants, while reducing the health top up for new claims from April 2026, alongside active support to help people back to health and work.

“Alongside this, we will remove barriers by ensuring that going back to work in and of itself will never lead to a reassessment. This ‘right to try’ will give people the confidence to take on a job knowing that if it doesn’t work out, they won’t have to start from scratch.

“In addition, we are consulting on a new unemployment insurance that will help people quickly get back on track if they fall out of work, giving them a higher rate of benefit.

“It’s also important to point out the measures we have announced to protect those who are most in need.

“We will protect existing Universal Credit claimants by holding their health top-up steady in cash terms while they benefit from the higher standard allowance. We are also looking at ways to ensure that those who will never be able to work are afforded confidence and dignity by never having to go through reassessments and proposing an additional Universal Credit premium to offer those people the support they need.

“I know many people are concerned about the proposed changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and how it may impact them.

“I have asked the Secretary of State for some clarity in relation to this. I share some concerns, and I will await the publication of the impact assessment to enable me to draw conclusions as to how this may affect my constituents. I will share more detail surrounding this area once it is available.

“The Green Paper outlining the proposed changes can be viewed at www.gov.uk/government/consultations/pathways-to-work-reforming-benefits-and-support-to-get-britain-working-green-paper. I would encourage people with an interest to view the Green Paper and respond to the consultation.

“I hope that I have helped to answer your questions and provide reassurance, but please let my team know if there’s anything we can do to support you.”

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