"One size fits all" back-to-work programmes failing hard to reach groups - Alexander

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 7th Feb 2008

Commenting on today's Public Accounts Committee report Helping people from workless households into work, Liberal Democrat Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, Danny Alexander said:

"This report highlights problems that have been evident for a long-time: the Government's one-size-fits-all programmes are ignoring hard to reach groups that must be supported back into work.

"A fifth of Incapacity Benefit claimants suffer mental health problems, yet the Government has done nothing to support this group back into work. Ministers seem content to leave them stagnating on sick pay for six months before getting involved.Rather than threatening to evict people from workless households, the Government should start by getting its own house in order."