Welfare reform needs to be assessed against equality standards

24 January 2006

The DRC’s Chairman Bert Massie said in response to today’s green paper on welfare reform:

“This is a step in the right direction. Disabled people who can work should do so, but only if the support is right and employers are fair. There are elements in the proposals which look helpful, but we need to see more detail before we can be reassured they will really improve opportunities for disabled people.

“We’re pleased that the important role of employers has started to be tackled. Reforming sick pay to help ease the transition back to work and providing support for people to manage their health conditions, are good first steps to prevent the slide onto benefit.

“But we need to ensure the system is flexible enough to help disabled people make the transition back to work - such as part time working, volunteering, taking up positions on committees - without loosing benefit.

“And that no one is written off, so that everyone has the opportunity to contribute to society. 

“We need a guarantee that contracts given to the private and voluntary sectors ensure a high quality service which meets new disability equality standards for the public sector later this year.

“As detailed plans are made, we urge the Government to undertake a proper scrutiny of these proposals with the DRC, to ensure the plans meet the new standards.”