Labour leader criticizes Tory handling of long-term sickness impacts
Keir Starmer addressing failures in support for individuals off work due to long-term sickness
Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, is set to criticize the Conservative government today, highlighting how individuals on long-term sickness benefits are being neglected due to the increasing National Health Service (NHS) backlog and bureaucratic hurdles in job centers. He will emphasize the detrimental effects of the government’s inaction on those unable to work while stuck on endless hospital waiting lists. Leading up to the upcoming Budget announcement, Starmer emphasized the consequence of such neglect, stating, “Tory inaction in getting long-term sick back to work is costing people’s talents, squeezing our public services, and choking the economy.”
Rising figures reveal the extent of the issue
Recent statistics indicate a concerning rise, with approximately 2.8 million individuals absent from work due to long-term sickness in the latter part of 2023, marking an 8.4% increase compared to the previous year. Additionally, there is a staggering backlog of 7.6 million NHS appointments, resulting in unprecedented wait times for essential healthcare services.
Government’s acknowledgment of shortcomings
Acknowledging the failures in addressing the NHS backlog, Chancellor Rishi Sunak recently admitted the government’s lack of substantial progress in reducing waiting lists. In response to this, Labour has pledged to tackle the NHS waiting list issue by funding an additional two million operations and scans annually, along with enhancing mental health support through the recruitment of 8,500 more professionals.
Proposed reforms to address the challenges
Labour’s proposed reforms extend to job centers, aiming to overhaul their responsibilities by fostering collaboration with various entities, including the NHS and mental health services. The party envisions empowering local councils with the authority currently held by job centers, transforming them into skill training hubs to better serve their communities.
Labour’s commitment to supporting individuals in need
Keir Starmer’s pledges reflect a stark contrast to the government’s approach, emphasizing Labour’s commitment to not disregarding individuals sidelined due to illness. By addressing the NHS backlog and streamlining job center regulations, Labour aims to provide substantial support to workers and facilitate a swift recovery from the economic challenges posed by the current system.
Government initiatives to aid those with health conditions
Highlighting research from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in 2020, Labour emphasized that a significant portion of individuals on sickness benefits expressed a desire to work, particularly on a part-time basis. Additionally, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt outlined plans last year to assist over 1 million individuals with long-term health conditions and disabilities in reintegrating into the workforce.
FAQs
What are the key issues highlighted by Keir Starmer regarding individuals on long-term sickness benefits?
Keir Starmer has raised concerns about the neglect faced by individuals unable to work due to long-term sickness, attributing it to the Tory government’s inability to address the NHS backlog and cumbersome job center regulations.
What measures has Labour proposed to tackle the NHS waiting list and enhance mental health support?
Labour has committed to funding an additional two million operations and scans annually to address the NHS waiting list issue, along with recruiting 8,500 more mental health professionals to bolster mental health services.
How does Labour plan to reform job centers to better support individuals on long-term sickness benefits?
Labour intends to devolve powers from job centers to local councils, transforming them into hubs for skills training to enhance support for individuals unable to work due to illness.
