Navigating welfare reform: A compassionate approach?
The speaker discusses the critical decision facing the government regarding welfare reform, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach. While acknowledging the unsustainable growth of the welfare system, they stress the importance of compassion and inclusivity, especially for disabled and vulnerable individuals.
Discussions are underway with ministers and officials to explore reforms that benefit both the country and those in need. The focus extends beyond welfare, aiming to boost employment through investments in apprenticeships and initiatives like the Peterborough youth guarantee. The speaker is committed to working with the government to achieve positive change and support vulnerable citizens.
00:00There's a really big choice ahead of the government and the future of the country about the welfare report.
00:05I think two things can be right at the same time.
00:08It's unaffordable to have a welfare system which doubles to £70 billion in the coming years.
00:13But it's absolutely right we make any changes by being compassionate and involving disabled people and vulnerable people in those decisions.
00:21I'm talking to government, I'm talking to ministers.
00:24When the vote comes up you'll see how I vote.
00:26But I'm really hopeful that we can build some consensus about the kind of reforms that will work for this country but also help those people most in need.
00:34You're playing out my voting intentions by social media at the moment.
00:37What I am doing is having conversations with ministers, with officials and others about how we leverage in the investment.
00:43Not just about welfare reform, it's about helping get people into work.
00:46We've already got the £5 million in Peterborough for the youth guarantee.
00:49We know we've got one of the highest levels of NEETs and youth unemployment in the country.
00:52To me this is about investing in apprenticeships and getting people into work as well as wrestling with the complexities of how we reform our welfare system.
01:00Do you know how you're going to vote on Tuesday?
01:02I'm having great conversations.
01:04I'm a supporter of this government but I want to see the government working with its MPs to deliver the kind of change that will make a difference here in a positive way.
