Labour unveils welfare reforms to help 135,000 economically inactive Scots find work

Labour has launched its welfare reforms in a big push to get 135,000 economically inactive Scots back to work.

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said those who "can work, must work" as she laid out the Get Britain Working white paper in the House of Commons on Tuesday afternoon.

It comes as UK Government figures showed that 135,000 people in Scotland want a job but are currently classed as economically inactive.

Under Labour's plans, young people aged between 18 and 21 could be sanctioned if they fail to take up an offer of an apprenticeship, education or training. This would only come into place north of the border after a consultation with the Scottish Government.

Job centres will be reformed into a new work and careers service under the proposals. The Government has also launched an independent review into what employers can do to help prevent people falling ill.

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Only part of Labour's welfare reforms applies in Scotland as careers support, skills and health are devolved to the Scottish Parliament. But the UK Government has pledged to work with Holyrood on these issues.

Kendall warned the benefits bill for sickness and disability is set to rise “by £26 billion by the end of this Parliament”. Currently 2.8 million people across the UK are out of work due to illness - up from two million in 2019.

The minister also slammed the Tories for dailing to create “good jobs in every part of the country, to deliver on the NHS and to properly reform welfare”.

Speaking in the House of Commons, the Cabinet minister added: “But under our Government, this will change, with new opportunities matched by the responsibility to take them up. Because under this Labour government, if you can work, you must work.”

Kendall said the Labour Government would give young people "the chance to build a better life". She called the "rapid rise" of young people not in education, training or employment "the most concerning problem we face".

In response to a question from Labour's East Renfrewshire MP Blair McDougall, Kendall said: "The very first thing my jobcentre manager in Leicester said to me after I was appointed to this role in opposition... the big problem was young people, mental health problems, the covid generation.

"They deserve more opportunities to earn and to learn. The country has to do this because, for me, this is the most concerning problem we face: The rapid rise of young people not in education, training or employment.

"The Youth Guarantee is something we know we can deliver. We did it when we were last in government with the New Deal for Young People and Future Job funds. This is a version of that. Facing the problems of today and tomorrow, to give that covid, the pandemic generation, the chances and choices they need to build a better life."

Kendall also said she “understands” why disabled people are worried when they hear about reforms to sickness and disability benefits. But she said "change needs to happen".

SNP's Work and Pensions spokesperson Kirsty Blackman said: "Going after sick and disabled people, and penalising young people, is a shameful diversion tactic from the Labour government's poor record on the economy and jobs."

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