Conditionality ‘regime’ will kill goose that laid the golden egg

Commenting on the publication of Realising Potential: A Vision for Personalised Conditionality and Support, the Chief Executive of Child Poverty Action Group, Kate Green, said:

“We are concerned by the recommendations and believe new sanctions that will cut benefit entitlement could worsen child poverty.

“Sanctions bureaucracy is already complex, mysterious and misunderstood. Claimants are forever worried they will say the wrong thing and be punished, when all they really want is someone they can talk to and trust who will build up their confidence and help them get the right training and support.

“It was wrong to ask an economist to carry out this review. An expert in how you motivate people was needed who would understand you cannot simply impose autonomy from above.

“The voluntary sector has shown that personalised support works, but the Government’s welfare reforms are about to kill the goose that laid the golden egg. Gone will be the positive framework of trust, where a personal adviser was a confidant, supporter and friend. Greater discretion without rights for claimants over the work-related activity they can access will leave the personal adviser calling all the shots. Promised childcare services are inadequate or unavailable and there are too few flexible employers to allow access to decent work.

Notes for editors

• CPAG is the leading charity campaigning for the abolition of child poverty in the UK and for a better deal for low-income families and children.
• CPAG is one of over 130 member organisations of the Campaign to End Child Poverty, campaigning for public and political commitment to ensure the goals of halving child poverty by 2010 and ending child poverty by 2020 are met.

For further information please contact:
Tim Nichols
CPAG Press Officer
Tel. 020 7812 5216 or 07816 909302
tnichols@cpag.org.uk