In response to the proposed welfare system changes, which have been set out in today’s Autumn Statement, Evenbreak is calling out the Government for its lack of compassion and humanity towards the disability community.
The Autumn Statement was released in full on Wednesday, 22nd November 2023 after Prime Minister’s Questions at 12.30pm.
What is the Autumn Statement?
Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt provided an update on the state of the economy and also announced tax and spending changes.
What the Autumn Statement means for disabled candidates
National Insurance cut
- The main rate for employees will be cut from 12% to 10% from 6 January.
- It is currently charged at 12% on earnings between £12,571 and £50,271 – and 2% on anything above that.
- The self-employed will benefit from changes to two other areas of National Insurance specific to them. Hunt said this would save a self-employed person about £350 a year.
Benefits rise but rules for some tightened
- They will rise by 6.7% next year, in line with the inflation rate for September.
- But welfare recipients will be made to undertake a mandatory work placement if they are still looking for a job after 18 months.
Minimum wage hike
- The national living wage will rise to £11.44 an hour, up from £10.42
Find out more (BBC)
Welfare system updates
PM, Rishi Sunak, described the welfare system as ‘unsustainable’ earlier this week and then shocking news broke which said that people will be told to look for work-from-home jobs or face having their benefits cut.
“People with mobility and mental health problems should work from home or lose benefits under new policy” (Guardian).
Laura Trott, chief secretary to the Treasury, said there is a “duty on citizens if they are able to go out to work they should”. Adding that “there is an obligation on you as a citizen to do this. And if you don’t do this, we will look at sanctions.”
Jane Hatton, CEO at Evenbreak responds to this news:
The new approach is based on a number of completely false assumptions. The first, and most important, is that disabled people who don’t work are lazy, and need to be forced into work by the use of harsher and harsher punishments.
At Evenbreak, we know that many thousands of disabled people are desperate to work, and will apply for many jobs, but be discriminated against because they are disabled. Others are genuinely unable to work because of their condition.
The government says that work improves people’s wellbeing, but not if you have a severe mental health condition or severe pain or fatigue. In some cases, work can make you significantly worse. Threatening people in those circumstances with destitution is barbaric.
The other assumption is that there are jobs that disabled people could do working from home. For many, just like non-disabled people, working from home may not be an option, but even if it is, those opportunities are becoming fewer and fewer.
Instead of demonising unemployed disabled people as ‘benefit scroungers’, this government – any government – needs to look at the real barriers that prevent disabled people from working, many of which they have manifested themselves.
Voters should be aware that over 80% of disabled people acquire their disability as an adult and 1 in 5 working-age adults have lived experience of disability. Simply put – it could be you being sanctioned next. Life can change in an instant.
If Sunak is really interested in the waste of human potential, the solution is to let people work in the way that suits them the best.
Everyone at Evenbreak has lived experience of disability. We understand the barriers faced by disabled candidates and it’s not just needing or wanting to work from home. This is another sweeping generalisation from a government who know nothing about the real experiences of disabled candidates in the UK.
Our annual candidate survey shows an even distribution of disabled candidates who want home-working, hybrid and on-site roles. The enlightened and inclusive employers who advertise with Evenbreak see disabled people as premium candidates. They understand the benefits of hiring talented disabled candidates.
To candidates reading this news – Evenbreak is here for you. Our employers are looking for talent like yours. We’re a safe place, with nothing to do with DWP and we can offer free career coaching with no threat of sanctions or sharing your information. We can also signpost you to hundreds of fantastic organisations who are also here to help.
Browse inclusive job roles at evenbreak.co.uk
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