LONDON (AP) 鈥 Britain鈥檚 Labour Party government on Tuesday announced an overhaul of the welfare system that it says will save the cash-strapped administration 5 billion pounds ($6.5 billion). Critics claim it will harm some of the U.K.鈥檚 most vulnerable people.
The government says the shakeup will help people who are currently 鈥渨ritten off鈥 find jobs. It's a risky strategy for a party founded more than a century ago to fight for the rights of working people, and it has made trade unions and party supporters uneasy.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall told lawmakers in the House of Commons that the government had inherited a broken social security system that is 鈥渇ailing the very people it is supposed to help and holding our country back.鈥
She said Britain鈥檚 statistics are stark, with one in 10 working-age people claiming a sickness or disability benefit, and 鈥渕illions of people who could work trapped on benefits.鈥
Blaming the Conservatives, who lost power in July after 14 years, for damaging the economy and health system, Kendall said 鈥渢he social security system will always be there for people in genuine need.鈥
But she announced changes to the way disabilities are assessed. Campaigners say that will make it harder for people to get and keep benefits.
The changes, which will have to be approved by Parliament, are expected to save more than 5 billion pounds by 2030.
Not everything is being cut. The overhaul also includes an above-inflation increase to universal credit, one of the most common welfare benefits. Kendall said 1 billion pounds will be spent to "tear down barriers to work,鈥 including new rules allowing welfare recipients to try out paid jobs without losing their benefits.
The government claims a lack of support towards employment is trapping sick and disabled people in economic inactivity. Kendall said that 鈥渋n most comparable countries鈥 spending on sickness and disability benefits 鈥渋s either stable or falling 鈥 whilst ours continues to inexorably rise.鈥
The Disability Benefits Consortium, which represents more than 100 charities and organizations, said the 鈥渃ruel鈥 changes 鈥渨ill largely hit those who are unable to work and rely on these benefits to survive.鈥
Sarah Hughes, chief executive of mental health charity Mind, said the cuts would make it harder for people to get support and 鈥渨ill only serve to deepen the nation鈥檚 mental health crisis.鈥
Prime Minister 鈥檚 center-left government has seen its popularity plummet as it grapples with a and creaking public services.
Treasury chief Rachel Reeves is due to make a spring on March 26, and is expected to trim public spending to make up for lower-than-expected tax takings and high borrowing costs.
Tuesday鈥檚 welfare announcement followed weeks of speculation about how deep the cuts would be.
Labour lawmaker Imran Hussain said that 鈥渢housands of the most severely disabled people in my constituency, and millions across the U.K., have watched in disbelief as politicians debate cuts to the support that enables their very survival, leaving many at breaking point.鈥
Kendall said she understood 鈥渢he worry and anxiety.鈥
鈥淎nd I hope I鈥檝e made it clear to the House today, I don鈥檛 start from a position of being tough,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 start by precisely from a position of compassion.鈥
