DWP cash payments last resort benefits reform, Digi Mart USA News (United Kingdom): The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) could hand cash to benefits claimants only as a “last resort” under a major shift in how it treats young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEETs).
Young people could see fewer cash payments for unemployment benefits as the DWP and the Labour Party government attempt to create a model similar to the Danish benefits system. Cabinet member Pat McFadden has been in Denmark studying the Danish Fleksjobs scheme, which connects people with disabilities or health conditions that make full-time work difficult with state-subsidized jobs.
In Denmark, being signed off completely from work is a “last resort,” according to Danish social workers. Mr McFadden said on the visit he had been “really struck” by the scheme’s success in helping all age groups return to or stay in the workforce.
“The system is certainly not just for young people, and I think there’s a big lesson there,” he said. “Yes, we’ve had a big discussion focused on NEETs in the UK, but the idea of asking ‘what can you do, how can we help you live the fullest life’ shouldn’t stop at the age of 24 or 25.”
Asked about the Danish scheme, Mr McFadden said: “I don’t think you can ever simply lift and shift everything from one country to another.” He added that he had also visited the Netherlands this year and learned certain things there.
“I don’t think everything that’s done in Britain is always going to be wrong; there’s some things that we’re doing that are right. But I think there are lessons you can learn, and I’ve come here to learn from this,” he said.
Mr McFadden also argued that a distinct system for younger people has merit. “You can have a discussion about age, but I think a distinct system for younger people has merits for one very simple reason – if you’re young, you have your whole life in front of you,” he said.
“So the choices that you’re able to make and maybe the way you’re channeled one way or another by the state at a young age has a longer-term impact on your life.”
The source was a single publisher article that has not been independently verified.
