“People who can work should work”

Over the course of my career, I have had many jobs, from cleaning and patrolling parking lots, to managing teams in multiple countries and working in a factory. In each position, I met new people, faced unexpected challenges, and learned a lot about myself. I say this because I deeply disagree with the idea that “work” is somehow a bad thing. It is beneficial for individuals and for society too. Without the millions of hardworking people across the UK, no taxes would be collected to fund our public services.

When people cannot work due to a disability, the welfare system rightly supports them, but we should also not exclude them when the reason they are not working is due to barriers on the job. workplace or a lack of opportunities.

The DWP has announced a £2.5 billion return to work plan to help one million people remove barriers to work. Currently, we spend more on welfare benefits than the budgets of our major schools or police services. It’s unfair for those who want to work and for those who already do.

It is also unfair to people who are physically fit and able to work, but refuse to do so. They accept money from hard-working taxpayers in the form of benefits, especially when the job market is strong.

People who can work should work, and those who have faced barriers to doing so will have those barriers removed through these reforms. Ultimately, these changes will result in a social protection system that is compassionate, fair and fit for the future.