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Tories Propose Banning Welfare Spending on Alcohol and Cigarettes
Confirmed
In Short: The Conservative Party has unveiled plans to prevent long-term jobless benefit claimants from spending welfare payments on alcohol, cigarettes, and gambling, aiming to encourage people back into work and reduce the welfare bill.
The party also intends to make it harder to claim sickness benefits, which they argue would compel more people to seek employment.
Spending on benefits has surged in recent years and is projected to reach £408.6 billion by 2030/31, according to the Department for Work and Pensions.
The Conservatives propose a 'Back to Work' card for those not fit to work, which would slash the Universal Credit standard rate by a third and prohibit spending on cigarettes, alcohol, betting, and cash withdrawals.
Kemi Badenoch, a Conservative spokesperson, pledged to block long-term benefits claimants from using taxpayer funds on alcohol, cigarettes, and gambling.
The reforms could save taxpayers £538 million annually by transitioning 350,000 benefit claimants to a new 'subsistence allowance', the Tories estimate.
However, Labour has criticized the scheme as 'unworkable', while Reform UK's economy spokesman, Robert Jenrick, argued that the Tories' proposals 'won't even put a dent' in the welfare bill.
Jenrick further noted that the Conservatives left record numbers on long-term benefits and questioned the effectiveness of the new measures.
The party's plans include providing full benefits for six months to those fit to work while they search for employment.
The proposals aim to address the ballooning welfare bill and encourage job-seeking among long-term unemployed individuals.
Background
Among African American and Hispanic women, those living with HIV for 15 years or more are nearly four times as likely to experience depression, especially if they practice self-silencing.
African American and Hispanic women living with HIV for 15 years or more are nearly four times as likely to experience depression during the pandemic.
What's confirmed
- Reform UK's economy spokesman, Robert Jenrick, said the Tories had left record numbers on long-term benefits and the proposals "won't even put a dent" in the welfare bill.
- Under the proposals, anyone fit to work would get six months on full benefits to find a job.
- Those who have not would have their UC standard rate slashed by a third and the payment would be loaded onto a “back to work” pre-payment card, which would ban spending on cigarettes, alcohol, betting and cash withdrawals.
What's still developing
- The Tories said loading the "Subsistence Allowance" onto a pre-paid card, with restrictions on what the money can be spent on, would ensure taxpayers' money supports claimants with essentials like food.
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