Rishi Sunak says slashing benefits is his 'moral mission'. But what's moral about causing anxiety?

Rishi Sunak believes it is his “moral mission” to reform the welfare system by slashing £12bn from the benefits bill by the end of the next parliament.

The Conservative prime minister claimed he would do this by pushing more people, including those who are disabled and have long-term health conditions, into work.

It builds on his previously announced plans for a more punitive benefits regime which intends to eradicate a so-called “sick-note culture”.

• Disability and work: Why the next government must show compassion and reform the benefits system
• Almost no recorded cases of disability benefit fraud despite DWP crackdown: ‘PIP fraud is a non-issue’

Proposals have included tightening access to extra universal credit, replacing people’s personal independence payment (PIP) with one-off grants, and increased use of conditionality and sanctions to punish claimants deemed not to be looking for work.

Disability activist who goes by the name of Ben Claimant posted on X: “I don’t know what is moral about causing huge amounts of anxiety and stress, but I guess what the Tories mean about ‘reforming welfare’ is miles apart from what people actually need.”

Sunak has also announced a £700m investment in NHS mental health treatment to ensure 500,000 more people can access talking therapies by 2030.

Labour, which is expected to win the next election, has announced its own plan to drive more people into work. It claims it will target an increase in the employment rate from 75% to 80%.

It includes new local plans for work, health and skills support to get more people with health conditions and disabilities into work, with devolved funding and leadership from mayors and local areas.

Labour also wants new combined national jobs and careers service, bringing together Jobcentres and the careers service, to get more people into work.

Keir Starmer’s party has also announced proposals for a “youth guarantee” to help people aged 18 to 21 find training or apprenticeships.

It has not confirmed whether it would drop the Conservatives’ plans for benefits cuts, which experts fear will drive more people into poverty and exacerbate mental and physical health conditions, pushing people further away from work.

The Big Issue’s Blueprint for Change is calling for the next government to take a supportive approach to getting people into work – rather than punishing people who face barriers in the workplace.

Read about why the next government must show compassion towards disabled people rather than threatening to cut back their benefits here.

Big Issue is demanding an end to poverty this general election. Will you sign our open letter to party leaders?

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