A big announcement from the Prime Minister last week was that the government will be consulting on proposed reforms to the benefits system to ensure benefits are targeted at those who need it most whilst ensuring those who are able to work are supported to do so.

The Department for Work and Pensions provides a valuable service supporting people to find work and ensuring a safety net for some of the most vulnerable people in our society. In particular, the DWP offices in our constituency, St Austell and Newquay Job Centres and St Austell Benefit Centre, do excellent work, with Newquay Jobcentre recognised as one of the best performing in the south west for the way in works with local businesses and community groups in innovative ways to help people find work.

The Prime Minister’s announcement from last week outlines a package of wide ranging reforms to put work at the heart of welfare and deliver on his “moral mission” to give everyone who is able to work, the best possible chance of staying in, or returning to work. The welfare package also includes further measures to crack down on fraud and removing benefits entirely from long term unemployed who don’t accept a job when one is available.

It comes as many more working age people are being awarded benefit for mental health conditions than when it was first introduced over a decade ago, as well as concerns that the assessment process is significantly easier to abuse by individuals who seek to exploit the system.

Total spending on benefits for people of working age with a disability or health condition increased by almost two-thirds to £69-billion since the pandemic, and we now spend more on these benefits than our core schools’ budget or on policing. Given the significant change in caseload and unsustainable increase in costs, it’s clear our current disability benefit system for adults of working age is not fit for purpose.

A consultation on Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will be published in the coming days which will explore changes to the eligibility criteria, assessment process and types of support that can be offered so the system is better targeted towards individual needs and more closely linked to a person’s condition rather than the current “one size fits all” approach.

Let me be clear, this is not about removing support for those who need it, but the current situation is unsustainable. Not only is it cost taxpayers a huge amount of money. Let’s remember the money has to come from somewhere and it is hard working taxpayers who are footing the bill. The current situation is also making itSteve Double, Conservative MP for St Austell and Newquaymore difficult for local businesses to find the staff they need. This is holding back our economy locally and nationally.

I am pleased that the Prime Minister has listened to the calls for reform to the system. It is crucial that those with long term health conditions who most need assistance via the benefits system and services provided by the Department for Work and Pensions get appropriately targeted support to enable them to manage their conditions and the way in which it impact their lives. But at the same time, we also need to ensure those who abuse the system are not able to continue to do this.. I hope that the Prime Minister’s announcement will enable both of these things to happen, and I will continue to support our local DWP staff in the delivery of their vital work.

As ever, if I can be of assistance on any matter, my office is available for any constituents – tel: 01726 829379 or email: [email protected]

Steve Double, Conservative MP for St Austell and Newquay