Turning Point statement on Welfare Green Paper

Commenting on the publication of the Welfare Reform Green Paper on Monday, Turning Point's Chief Executive, Lord Victor Adebowale, says:

"I welcome the Government's aim to reach those furthest from the job market, with one fact in mind: if you have been claiming Incapacity Benefit for more than two years, you are more likely to die or retire than get a job. This Green Paper starts to address that. However, let's not talk tough on benefits for the sake of it: let's do what works best, for the economy and for the individuals in question. Most of Turning Point's employment support clients, who have a history of drug problems, are desperate to get their lives back on track and move into work. They need trained advisors working with them to set the individual pace at which they do this.

"Although some people will readily admit to substance misuse problems, others are more reluctant - often through embarrassment, fear, or sometimes because they do not have a good relationship with their benefits advisor. Giving these people a criminal record for fraud will push them further from work, rather than closer to job readiness: the inevitable effect of having a criminal record on your CV. We must acknowledge that for the most complex claimants who are furthest from the labour market, a stepped approach that gets them into work at a sensible, sustainable pace, is the only effective way to prevent them become revolving door claimants and turn their lives around - for good."

Monday 21st July 2008

For more information please contact:
Steve Palmer
Turning Point Press Officer
020 7481 7630
Out of hours 07786 938 601
www.turning-point.co.uk

Notes to editors:

1. Turning Point is the UK's leading social care organisation: Turning Point provides services for people with complex needs, including those affected by drug and alcohol misuse, mental health problems or those with a learning disability. Turning Point provides services in over 250 locations and has contact with over 100,000 people every year.
2. 'Progress2work' is a Turning Point scheme specifically designed to help people who have had or have a drug problem gain jobs or training. It supports people through treatment and into work, and offers drug users employment advice and full access to Jobcentre Plus programmes.