In praise of Iain Duncan Smith's Welfare Reforms

The sanctions are encouraging people to claim to be put into the support group of ESA. Some judges take the view that alcoholics would be a risk to themselves or others if having to undertake work related activities, therefore they get put in the support group.
Part of the trouble is that the DWP have not made clear what ' work related activities' are despite repeated requests for clarification.
If claimants who are in the WRAG group fail to conform to these activities they are sanctioned.
The only way they can be exempt is if they are in the support group.

https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/jan/28/jobcentre-staff-rewarded-work-dole&ei=ybTnUrzhMMua1AXJ-oG4CA&sa=X&oi=unauthorizedredirect&ct=targetlink&ust=1390918609808409&usg=AFQjCNG2tLkN9VP-QaDJ9WjYdNEjAbUV9Q

In the Guardian, of course. It does not say how they qualify jobs, but it's an all-party select committee chaired by Anne Begg. The committee also want a broader review into benefit sanctions, and whether they are encouraging people to find work. I would think they would encourage me just to stay in bed all day.

I haven't seen that report, Durhamjen.
Did it say if jobcentre staff are being given incentives to get people back into real jobs, or do you think they are including unpaid work on the so-called back-to-work scheme in this?

Just noticed in today's paper that jobcentre staff are to be given incentives to get people back into jobs, not just off the dole. It's a start.
What surprised me, but probably shouldn't have, is that the DWP are being asked to collate figures for people who turn up at foodbanks because their benefits have been sanctioned. If you watched Benefits Street, you would have seen what happened last night.
I naively assumed that the DWP would collect these figures as a matter of course. Apparently about 5% of claimants are sanctioned each month. That's a lot of families without food.
Typing this while listening to the news. Why does the phrase "hardworking families" make me cringe?

Sorry, Absent. I did think of that as I pressed the post button.

Anyone who still thinks IDS is a good man, he lied about his qualifications, twice.

durhamjen Don't tempt providence…or the reshuffle fairy.

That's at least five things he's failed at then, Papaoscar.
Maybe his problem is being the quiet man, so people take no notice of him in his office. So he has to be nasty to people he has power over.
Should we be grateful he has been nowhere near the NHS?

And paying monthly in order to accustom people to the world of work and monthly pay packets? Who's he kidding.

The bit in his speech I have a problem with is "Indiviuals controlling their own lives". Many on benefits are, but there's a hell of a lot who are just not capable of this. Christmas and birthday presents for the kids are far more important than paying the rent. Simplifying the system is an excellent idea, but it's going to take a lot of people on the ground to support it - and that's not likely to happen.

An attempt to make up for his failure as Tory party leader, by taking on a nasty job that nobody else wanted?

Why is IDS still in a job?

Yes, the 'Punishing Poverty' report is indeed available, on the CAB Manchester website, and is a very sad read. It suggests that this heartless and cruel coalition government is deliberately instructing their paid lackeys in the private sector to target the weak, old, sick, unemployed and handicapped in an unfair attempt to reduce the benefit budget. In the process they are dividing the country and returning it to Victorian workhouse values. The real fraudsters, whether benefit-scroungers or bankers etc are getting away with it. Don't forget about all this come the next election. IDS and his mates will be queuing up for your vote!

To add to what durhamjen mentioned, The CAB has produced a very damning report on benefit sanctions. And there is little doubt that IDS and cronies will call them liars too! I would put the link here but it won't copy and appears to be encrypted, but just Google "CAB report punishing poverty" if you want to find it.

Going back to the OP, I totally disagree about IDS being someone who is "... not trying to win a popularity contest".

Being seen to hit the scrounging, skiving welfare claimant (the Government's emotive words, not mine) has proved hugely popular with the general public. Having realised that they are on to a good thing (ie., a potential vote-winner), they are keen to keep up constant stream of anti-welfare rhetoric.
In reality, many of the measures are having the opposite effect from the one that is claimed and desired, but IDS and his colleagues have discovered that simply refusing to acknowledge this is the simplest way to deal with it!

As far as I can see, his speech is typical of their "say what the public want to hear" approach and is entirely about popularity.

Such a relief to know I am not alone.

Anyone who has complained about the pension age going up, he's the one that did it!

IDS's speech began by saying it was a pleasure to speak at the Centre for Social Justice.
It's a thinktank that he set up himself!

I'd like to see any of these over-privileged, cossetted policy makers last for a couple of months - let alone a prolonged period - on the sort of poverty income that many people in the UK are trying to survive on.

Pleased I read down to the bottom of this. I was beginning to get worried about all the praise heaped on IDS. Wasn't he unemployed himself at some time and claiming housing benefit whilst living in his big country house owned by his father-in-law?
I watched part of Sunday Politics today. There was quite a lot about the DWP stopping people's benefits for spurious reasons, but the DWP called the people liars.
One man was in hospital in a coma, and had his money stopped for 4 weeks. Another man was sent a bus ticket for the wrong bus company so could not get to his appointment so was sanctioned. One man was sanctioned for 4 weeks just before Christmas, so had to go to the foodbank to feed his children.
I despair that any of you can think this is acceptable.
Jobcentre workers have to meet certain criteria, otherwise they get sanctioned themselves. DWP say they are lying, too, even though they have proof.

I agree totally with Absent.

IDS regularly uses figures that are totally different from the official figures.
He also makes some very dubious, unsubstantiated claims regarding the significance of figures. He has been challenged over this by the UK Statistics Authority, but he continues to lie be extremely creative whenever he opens his mouth. Unfortunately, these "creations" are making front-page news in the papers and being taken at face value by their readers.

And before anyone accuses me of being a "leftie" I will (albeit reluctantly) admit to having voted Tory at the last General Election and to being all in favour of their plans to reform the benefits system.
However, something has happened since then: I have become aware of what is really happening, of the realities behind the headlines, and I don't like what I am seeing. Not one bit. .

Ah well not to worry, if he is not in government after the next election then many will be happy.

Mind you Labour have stated "We will be tougher on benefits" So the chances of anybody who back Labour being happy look decidedly slim as well. Didn't Mr Balls say today in his speech that Labour will keep the Governments Benefit Cap, Raise the age of retirement, make you be able to read, write and do maths before getting a guaranteed job and if you don't take it you will forfeit your benefits. He did say Labour would get rid of the 'bedroom tax' and put the top rate of tax back to 50p I admit.

It was not a very forthcoming speech so I shall be watching or reading it again with interest. My initial thought was I had heard the first cuckoo of spring but I must give it another go to be fair.

Before heaping more praise on IDS and his attempts to (rightly) reduce the welfare budget, have a look at his record as regards claiming large amounts of money from the taxpayer for employing his wife on so-called parliamentary duties (Betsygate) and his bullying tactics against his own colleagues in defending these activities. Perhaps this silver-spoon-lifestyle failed Tory leader is not the best choice of person to point the finger of scorn at anybody else. Mind you, perhaps it takes one to find one... I don't know!

Ian Duncan Smith has bandied about all sorts of figures in his speeches none of which corresponds to the official figures produced by his own department. He just whistles and hopes that everyone else will join in. It seems that some have.

I knew there would be correct information that I did not get told by the person who was ranting about it,just goes to show that a bit of knowledge is dangerous when not conveyed correctly. Thanks anno

glamma, I have known hopeless alcoholics to receive Disability Living Allowance. It's entirely possible that when they are re-assessed for PIP they will find themselves out of pocket.

I have no respect whatsoever for Ian Duncan Smith. He is happy to oversee a situation whereby a single mother with two children could be left homeless because the local council have not received certain details, even though A) they have received regular bank statements and updates on everything B) they have not made the requests in the first place.

I have, today, written to that horrible man - I met him some years ago at a Conservative Conference - and no doubt his reply will be something on the lines of 'it's not my fault, it is down to the council involved'. Well I am here to tell him that it is his fault he IS in charge!

The Government must stop victimising those who try to do everything right, who haven't broken any rules and who work the allowed 16 hours. It is bad enough having to ask for help without having to fight for it. It would be good if a week could go by without the council threatening to stop housing benefits.

i apologise if I have broken any forum rules and will understand if this message is deleted. I also wish it was not on an 'open forum' but I am just so very, very angry!