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05/10/2009
Tories To Shake-Up Incapacity Benefits
Incapacity benefits would be cut by the Tories in a bid to "get Britain working', the party said today.
Opening the Conservatives' conference in Manchester, David Cameron (pictured) said the UK faced a "twin crisis" of debt and unemployment.
"We will simplify Labour’s numerous and piecemeal programmes into one single back-to-work programme for everyone on out of work benefits," he claimed.
Incapacity claimants would all be assessed on their fitness for work. Those who are deemed fit to gain employment would lose their benefit and instead be placed on the £25-a week Job Seekers allowance.
Labour has branded the proposals "callous", however Shadow Work Secretary Theresa May called them "fair".
Around 2.6 million people currently claim Incapacity Benefits.
Mr Cameron said: "We will offer greater support to the young unemployed by referring them on to the Work Programme after six months of unemployment compared to a year under the Flexible New Deal."
A Tory government would provide an additional 100,000 apprenticeships and training places each year.
The party also plans to create 50,000 additional training places at FE colleges each year, and expand the government’s Young Apprenticeship (YA) scheme, from the current 10,000 to over 30,000 each year.
"Labour are now the party of unemployment, I want the new Conservative Party to be the party of jobs and opportunity and at the heart of it is a big, bold and radical scheme to get millions of people back to work," said Mr Cameron.
(PR/KMcA)
Opening the Conservatives' conference in Manchester, David Cameron (pictured) said the UK faced a "twin crisis" of debt and unemployment.
"We will simplify Labour’s numerous and piecemeal programmes into one single back-to-work programme for everyone on out of work benefits," he claimed.
Incapacity claimants would all be assessed on their fitness for work. Those who are deemed fit to gain employment would lose their benefit and instead be placed on the £25-a week Job Seekers allowance.
Labour has branded the proposals "callous", however Shadow Work Secretary Theresa May called them "fair".
Around 2.6 million people currently claim Incapacity Benefits.
Mr Cameron said: "We will offer greater support to the young unemployed by referring them on to the Work Programme after six months of unemployment compared to a year under the Flexible New Deal."
A Tory government would provide an additional 100,000 apprenticeships and training places each year.
The party also plans to create 50,000 additional training places at FE colleges each year, and expand the government’s Young Apprenticeship (YA) scheme, from the current 10,000 to over 30,000 each year.
"Labour are now the party of unemployment, I want the new Conservative Party to be the party of jobs and opportunity and at the heart of it is a big, bold and radical scheme to get millions of people back to work," said Mr Cameron.
(PR/KMcA)
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Independent research published today shows that 90% of people prefer having benefits put directly into a bank account, according to a Downing Street spokesperson. The Direct Payment system is now on track to reach 85% of pensioners, mothers, carers and jobseekers by April 2005.
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Maxine Carr in court over benefit fraud charges
Maxine Carr, the former girlfriend of Soham murderer Ian Huntley, has appeared before Peterborough magistrates court today charged with benefit fraud and lying on job applications. Carr is accused of fraudulently obtaining more than £3,300 in various bogus benefits claims and lying about her GCSE results in job applications.
Maxine Carr in court over benefit fraud charges
Maxine Carr, the former girlfriend of Soham murderer Ian Huntley, has appeared before Peterborough magistrates court today charged with benefit fraud and lying on job applications. Carr is accused of fraudulently obtaining more than £3,300 in various bogus benefits claims and lying about her GCSE results in job applications.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
