DSD Minister responds to London Times' Story on Welfare Reform Failures

Commenting upon today's story in the London Times that an expert behind welfare reform described welfare developments as 'ridiculous and scary', DSD Minister Alex Attwood said:

"The London Government cannot ignore the views of the academic who is behind far reaching benefit changes. The Bristol academic, Professor Paul Gregg, has said in the London Times that to go ahead moving people from incapacity benefit to employment and support allowance 'is not just ridiculous, it is scary'.

"I am meeting Iain Duncan Smith's right hand man, Lord Freud, who is responsible for welfare reform, in two weeks. My intention is to advise Lord Freud that current and future welfare reforms run the real risk of putting people in need in! new difficulties. The London Times' story confirms this very point.

"People suffering cancer or clinical depression or the like and who are on incapacity benefit require special care and welfare protection. Given the higher rate of deprivation, more severe health conditions and the legacy of conflict there are thousands in Northern Ireland who require this care and protection. London must acknowledge this evidence.

"Only this week in the Assembly I repeated my concerns about current and future welfare proposals. Professor Gregg's latest comments confirm that those who have concerns are absolutely right."