At our July meeting, members of Calder Valley Labour unanimously agreed the following resolution…

Calder Valley CLP welcomes the concessions made in the Welfare Bill, however we note with concern:

• The enormous disadvantages many people with health conditions have in securing and retaining employment.
• Cutting benefits without secure jobs to replace them will create hardship and fear.
• Schools receive financial support for pupils with special needs who as adults often face life on benefits due to lack of support in workplaces.
• Polling by More in Common shows public opposition to health related benefit cuts, with 79% opposed to withdrawal of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) from people who require assistance to toilet, feed or wash themselves.

While welcoming the PIP Assessment Review we also call for a Beveridge-style radical overhaul of the welfare system to ensure it provides secure work as well as benefits, including:

• A 10 year plan to bring 1.5 million people on long term sickness and health related benefits into employment.
• An incentives scheme for employers to take on more workers with physical and mental health conditions, plus support to accommodate their needs. This would inevitably lead to reductions in welfare payments.
• Reform of the PIP assessment system so that it accurately reflects needs both in and out of work.
• An Apprenticeship scheme tailored for the needs of people with physical and mental health conditions.
• A Jobs guarantee scheme for those with limited capacity for work, administered by a nationalised recruitment agency operating in every job centre to place people in permanent, temporary and voluntary roles.