New ESA claimants face uncertainty and lower incomes

Commenting on the launch today of the new Employment and Support Allowance to replace Incapacity Benefit, the Chief Executive of Child Poverty Action Group, Kate Green, said:

“Government commitments that claimants would not receive lower amounts on the new benefit have not been kept for all groups.

“There is now great concern that claimants will also fail to receive the level of employment support promised. Many sick and disabled people aspire to employment but lack support services and face employer discrimination in moving into work. We have not seen sufficient emphasis to encourage employers to open up decent job opportunities whilst the likely recession means fewer jobs for people to move into. Those unable to work require much higher levels of financial support to maintain their health.

“The Government has been relying on the private sector leverage to finance these services, but it is now the public purse that is propping up the banks. Rising unemployment makes it harder for disabled workers to access jobs too."

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