Commenting on ONS figures released today showing an 82,000 fall in the number of self-employed workers, Liberal Democrat Work and Pensions spokesperson Stephen Lloyd MP said:
 
“Liberal Democrats are deeply concerned by this huge drop in the number of people working for themselves, reversing a shift towards increasing self-employment and entrepreneurial risk-taking.
 
“I find it hard to believe that the roll-out of Universal Credit – which penalises the self-employed – does not have something to do with this.
 
“By slashing the support it offers the self-employed after twelve months and not taking account of freelancers’ fluctuating incomes, Universal Credit is making it much harder for people in modest circumstances to start their own businesses.
 
“I urge the Secretary of State to immediately review how Universal Credit treats the self-employed, before it devastates the 800,000 freelancers who are expected to transition onto it.”

UK unemployment fell by 3,000 to 1.44 million in the three months to November, official figures show.

Main points for September to November 2017

Estimates from the Labour Force Survey show that, between June to August 2017 and September to November 2017, the number of people in work increased, the number of unemployed people was little changed, and the number of people aged from 16 to 64 not working and not seeking or available to work (economically inactive) decreased.

There were 32.21 million people in work, 102,000 more than for June to August 2017 and 415,000 more than for a year earlier.

The employment rate (the proportion of people aged from 16 to 64 who were in work) was 75.3%, higher than for a year earlier (74.5%) and the joint highest since comparable records began in 1971.

There were 1.44 million unemployed people (people not in work but seeking and available to work), little changed compared with June to August 2017 but 160,000 fewer than for a year earlier.

The unemployment rate (the proportion of those in work plus those unemployed, that were unemployed) was 4.3%, down from 4.8% for a year earlier and the joint lowest since 1975.

There were 8.73 million people aged from 16 to 64 who were economically inactive (not working and not seeking or available to work), 79,000 fewer than for June to August 2017 and 167,000 fewer than for a year earlier.

The inactivity rate (the proportion of people aged from 16 to 64 who were economically inactive) was 21.2%, lower than for a year earlier (21.7%) and the joint lowest since comparable records began in 1971.

Latest estimates show that average weekly earnings for employees in Great Britain in nominal terms (that is, not adjusted for price inflation) increased by 2.5% including bonuses and by 2.4% excluding bonuses, compared with a year earlier.

Latest estimates show that average weekly earnings for employees in Great Britain in real terms (that is, adjusted for price inflation) fell by 0.2% including bonuses, and fell by 0.5% excluding bonuses, compared with a year earlier.

ABC comment:

Between June to August 2017 and September to November 2017, total hours worked per week decreased by 4.9 million to 1.03 billion. While employment has increased by 102,000, the average hours worked by people in employment has fallen.

For September to November 2017:

• people worked, on average, 31.9 hours per week, fewer than for June to August 2017 and for a year earlier

• people working full-time worked, on average, 37.2 hours per week in their main job, fewer than for June to August 2017 and for a year earlier

• people working part-time worked, on average, 16.1 hours per week in their main job, fewer compared with June to August 2017 but unchanged compared with a year earlier

Wages are falling and working hours are falling. So althought it looks positive on the surface it is not so positive if you drill into the figures. 

Work and Pensions Committee

Wednesday 24 January 2018 Meeting started at 9.36am, ended 11.25am

Agenda

Subject: Universal Credit rollout

Witnesses: Jeane Freeman MSP, Minister for Social Security, Dawn Abell, Social Security Policy Team Leader and Stephen Kerr, Social Security Director, Scottish Government

Witnesses: Alok Sharma MP, Minister for Employment and Neil Couling CBE, Director, Universal Credit Programme, Department for Work and Pensions

Commenting on the recently lodged amendments to the Social Security Bill which would introduce a £5 top up to child benefit for every family in Scotland, a spokesperson for the Give Me Five Campaign - a coalition of children's organisations, faith groups, anti-poverty charities and unions who are campaigning for a £5 a week top up to child benefit - said:

"We are delighted to see amendments to the Social Security bill being lodged today by Mark Griffin MSP that would see child benefit boosted for children across Scotland. A £5 a week top up would in itself lift up to 30 000 children out of poverty across Scotland, and provide vital financial support to the families of many more. Having set welcome targets toward ending child poverty the Scottish Government must now use every tool in its toolbox to achieve that ambition - and that includes using new powers to top up reserved benefits.

Image: Mark Griffin MSP
 

"We know  incomes are under increasing pressure and a £5 top-up to child benefit, for every child in Scotland, could make a huge difference to ever tightening family  budgets.

"Parents have told us of the difference that an extra £5 a week per child could make to their family - whether it is being able to afford fresh fruit and veg, or saving up for a new pair of school shoes”.

Labour’s Angela Eagle called the statistics “deeply worrying” and said it reflected growing numbers of cases causing people great distress in her constituency.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments score people points based on their ability to carry out different tasks.

For each component of PIP, people need at least eight points to get the standard rate or 12 points to get the higher enhanced payments.

Figures obtained by Ms Eagle through written parliamentary questions show 220,390 people scored “zero points” in the tests for both the mobility and daily living component of PIP between April 2016 and October 2017.

Analysis by the Press Association also suggests a greater proportion of claimants are now scoring zero on both parts of the test.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said decisions on PIP were made after careful consideration and more people were now receiving higher rates.

However, former welfare minister Ms Eagle said: “It is deeply worrying to see just how many people are being written off and given scores of zero for their PIP assessments.

“This reflects recent experience in my constituency, where increasing numbers of people are contacting me in great distress after receiving scores of zero.

“This includes people that have received PIP in the past and have actually seen a deterioration in their health since then.”

Overall, 347,210 cases have scored zero on either or both parts of the PIP test since April 2016.

The figures obtained by Ms Eagle show that 15,320 people scored zero points on both parts of the test in October, the highest monthly figure over the previous year.

Between April and October, the equivalent of little more than one in six tests scored zero on both parts, the lowest ratio since PIP launched in 2013.

Previous figures released to Parliament showed that in 2016, 13,130 people had a decision on PIP overturned having previously been scored zero.

More than 180,000 people who previously claimed Disability Living Allowance (DLA) have been denied PIP as they have transferred between the two systems.

“Under the Tory Government’s assessment process tens of thousands of people with chronic disabilities have had their payments removed, and many with mobility problems have had their vehicles taken from them,” said Ms Eagle.

“These figures show just how punitive the assessment process is, with vast numbers of people each year receiving scores of zero and not even coming close to receiving PIP.

“It is clear that the current system is failing people in real need and is not fit for purpose.”

A DWP spokeswoman said: “We introduced PIP to replace the outdated DLA system.

“PIP is a better benefit which takes a much wider look at the way an individual’s health condition or disability impacts them on a daily basis and is tailored to suit each individual’s needs.

“Under PIP, 29% of claimants receive the highest rate of support, compared to 15% under DLA.

“Decisions for PIP are made after careful consideration of all the evidence provided by the claimant, including supporting evidence from their GP or medical specialist, and anyone who is unhappy with a decision can appeal.”

The Social Democrats will introduce their Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill 2018 in the Dáil, on Tuesday 23rd January 2018. The Bill increases protections for renters by extending the minimum notice period for terminations of tenancies to 90 days.

It also require landlords to provide new occupants access to rents paid by their predecessors. The Bill has the support of housing charities as well as Fianna Fáil, Labour and Sinn Féin.

Employment Affairs and Social Protection Minister, Regina Doherty, T.D. announced today the funding of over €0.5m towards three projects being delivered by Family Carers Ireland, the Irish Foster Care Association, and the Galway Hospice Foundation.  The projects, funded under the Dormant Accounts Action Plan 2016/2017, will provide specific and appropriate support services and training, as well as information for carers at the end of their full-time caring role.

Family Carers Ireland will receive funding of €338,464, the Irish Foster Care Association will receive €89,593, and The Galway Hospice Foundation Company Limited by Guarantee will receive €97,568.

Minister Doherty said she was pleased to announce the funding for these three projects:

“The Government recognises that caring can have a significant impact on the physical and mental health of the carer, as well as their social life and personal finances.  Following the death of a loved one, carers may also feel isolated and can face distinct challenges in making the transition from being a carer to having a reduced or no caring role, while also dealing with the feelings of grief and loss.  For the carer, there are challenges in changing routines and activities and new challenges emerge after their caring role finishes.

“The funding for three projects that I am announcing here is very important. It is going towards three programmes that will help carers following the loss of a loved one, and is designed to support them as they begin their new live at home, at work and socially.  Projects are aligned to and address actions within the National Carers Strategy, and in the current Programme for a Partnership Government.”

The measure complements existing financial and income supports provided to full-time carers through the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection’s schemes including Carer’s Allowance - over 75,000 carers; Carer's Benefit - over 2,700 carers; and Domiciliary Care Allowance - over 38,000 people.  Over 106,000 carers received the annual Carer’s Support Grant (which is not means tested) this year.  Total expenditure by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection on carer supports in 2017 is estimated to be in excess of €1 billion.

Joining Minister Doherty, Minister of State with Responsibility for People with Disabilities Finian McGrath T.D. said: “I am pleased to announce this funding for three groups that deserve not only financial support, but also our gratitude.  Family Carers Ireland will use this funding to provide training and mentoring in order to provide carers with the best opportunities to make successful transitions from caring to other phases in their lives.  The Irish Foster Care Association will use this funding to addresses ‘life after caring’, with specific reference to loss, grief and life transitions for carers.  The Galway Hospice Foundation will also assist carers, particularly targeting those who have helped loved ones towards the end of their lives.

“Any funding for carers should be seen as an investment and not expenditure.  They play such an invaluable role in our society.  Today’s funding is a help to make their lives better as they move out of caring roles.”

Project Summaries

Family Carers Ireland
The aim of the project is to provide carers with the space and structured support to consider their post-care future.  Current carers and former carers will be supported to consider what life skills they have acquired through their years of caregiving.  Family Carers Ireland will draw on their own thirty years’ experience and on several research documents to provide training, mentoring and consultation to provide carers with the best opportunity to make a successful transition from caring to a life without a carers role.

The project will also be of benefit to those carers who do not envision returning to the workplace once their caring role has ended.  The project will support carers to consider how they might best reintegrate with their local community, through volunteering and participation.  It will also support them to consider whether the Family Caring mentoring project would be appropriate for them as a way of putting their years of caring experience to further use.

The project will also include actions to establish relationships with employers to work toward better facilitation of carers returning to the workplace following medium-term leave to meet caring obligations (e.g. carer’s leave); to convene academic researchers in the field of life after care for an information sharing event; and to understand and support those making the transition(s) from the caring role required of carers for those with mental health difficulties.  Finally, it will address the needs of those carers who are finding moving on from their caring role especially difficult emotionally or professionally, offering counselling or life-coaching sessions to former carers who would most benefit from the services in preparing for the life after care.

Irish Foster Care Association
The program developed by the Irish Foster Care Association addresses “life after caring”, with specific reference to loss, grief and life transitions for this cohort of carers.  There are four components to the program with the governing principle being the provision of information, advice, support and education workshops.  Content will include dealing with grief and loss specifically.  Interactive workshops will be designed and delivered nationally to meet the needs of “life after caring” by promoting the skills to develop well-being and resilience throughout the journey of fostering.

The project will also provide professional counselling support to those who are struggling with personal loss as a result of transitions after caring or sudden loss as a result of an unexpected/unplanned placement breakdown.  This would be provided by qualified and accredited mental health professionals with appropriate experience and expertise in dealing with loss after caring by promoting the skills to develop well-being and resilience.

Galway Hospice Foundation
The training programme will provide support to carers in post care transition to assist them to cope with new post care challenges. The target group are those who were end of life carers in the palliative care setting and the programme will address social and economic disadvantage by helping them re-engage socially by providing training on completing an application form/CV, applying for jobs, preparing for interview and interviewing.

Responding to comments made in 2012 by Tory MP and party vice-chair for youth Ben Bradley where he suggested unemployed young men should get vasectomies, Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran said:

“These hugely misinformed and offensive comments should shame Mr Bradley and the Tory party. “It beggars belief that someone who has shown such contempt for young people who are out of work has been tasked by the Prime Minister to improve her party’s appeal with young voters. “This is another example of a shocking lack of due diligence by May and her team when making appointments to influential roles. This seriously draws their judgement into question.”

In the post Ben Bradley, made Tory vice-chairman for youth in last week's reshuffle, hit out at what he called a "vast sea of unemployed wasters".

Apologising, he said he had matured since writing the now-deleted remarks, which were highlighted by Buzzfeed.

Labour also attacked him over the "repulsive comments".

Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood has warned that frontline NHS workers are at breaking point as a result of the pressures put upon them. Leanne Wood said that a constituent had contacted her warning that the pressure that they are being put under was having an impact on workers’ mental health.

This comes in the wake of an independent Parliamentary Review into health and social care which called for a sharp focus on staff engagement and well-being.

Image: NHS workers are at breaking point.

One million children living in poverty in England will miss out on free school meals as the Tory government rolls out its Universal Credit proposals, according to findings from The Children’s Society.

And London will be the worst-hit region by the changes proposed by the government, with 212,000 children projected to miss out on free school meals according to the charity’s research.

Today, the GMB, the union that represents school catering staff, has responded to the Department for Education’s consultation on free school meal entitlement under Universal Credit and warned that the government’s proposals will leave children hungry and could cost jobs, describing the plans as a “cut disguised as a kindness”.

As Universal Credit has been rolling out, all families in receipt of the new benefit have been automatically entitled to free school meals. However, the government is planning to introduce means testing for free school meals, which The Children’s Society warns will fail to reach 1 million children in poverty and will create a “cliff-edge” where many families would be better off taking a pay cut.

Figures from The Children’s Society show that once a family with one child passes the £7,400 threshold at which they lose the school meal entitlement, they would need to earn £1,124 a year more, the equivalent of working 2.4 hours more each week at national Living Wage, to make up for the loss in free school meals.

“Continuing to provide free school meals for all children on universal credit would not only help vulnerable children, it would also prevent low-income parents being left worse off if they take on more hours or get a pay rise,” said Matthew Reed, the chief executive of The Children’s Society.

“Universal credit was designed to always make work pay, but these plans will undermine that very principle.

“If the government wants to show it is truly committed to tackling the growing crises of inequality and child poverty, delivering free school meals for children in low-income working families is a crucial step.”

Image: Childrens Society Mathew Read. 

If the government continued to offer free school meals to all children whose families claim universal credit, around 2 million children from poor and low-income families in England would benefit once roll out is completed. Under the benefits system that universal credit is replacing, only families where parents are working too few hours to claim working tax credits are entitled to free school meals.

The government proposals will mean that just 700,000 of the 1,700,000 school children in poverty who could be helped, will receive free school meals.

And according to the GMB, under the £7,400 household earnings cap, which is due to be implemented in April, only the lowest earning 20 per cent of households would be entitled to free school meals.

“65 per cent of expenditure on free school meals currently benefits households outside this group, which strongly suggests that there will be a significant loss of free school meals entitlement for thousands of pupils,” the union says.

Tim Roache, the GMB’s general secretary, said, “These plans should concern all parents and everyone who works in schools.

“At least one hot, nutritious meal a day should be a fundamental right for all pupils. Instead thousands of kids from deprived backgrounds are now being threatened by a new cut disguised as a kindness.

“GMB members working in schools already encounter children with no food at home, and see packed lunches of no more than crisps or chocolate, because parents are struggling to make ends meet.

“This arbitrary £7,400 earnings cap, which takes no account of household need or the number of children that parents need to provide for, will force people to negotiate down their working hours or leave work altogether just to make ends meet. It makes a mockery of the Government’s claim that it is making work pay.”