PM's interference could undermine incapacity benefit reform - Laws

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 10th Oct 2005

Commenting on the reports that the Prime Minister has ordered David Blunkett to toughen up the proposed incapacity benefit reforms by cutting the level of benefit and introducing time-limits, David Laws MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, said:

"I am very concerned that the Prime Minister is meddling in incapacity benefit reform in a manner that is likely to increase the fears of disabled people. This could have the effect of setting back the necessary reform of incapacity benefits and the process of helping people back into work.

"The Prime Minister seems more concerned about making short term savings in the benefits bill rather than the longer term savings from helping people into sustained employment.

"The impression he is giving will make it harder to get genuine and worthwhile incapacity benefit reform off the ground.

"Instead of trying to get cheap headlines the Government should deliver the support promised to the million people that say they want to get off disability benefits and into work."