worklessness Articles

Anthony McCaul writing on these pages argues that ‘The Work Programme won’t work for Cameron’s “troubled” families’ but seems to be unaware of the details of the Work Programme and how it will work for the long-term unemployed.

So what kind of year will 2011 be? Will Britain get ‘back on its feet’ as the prime minister maintains, or will Ed Miliband be right in claiming that 2011 will be a year of ‘consequences for Britain’, not least for hard-working families? Whatever the truth, we are facing one of the most uncertain years in recent memory. For disabled people in particular, this year could see the beginning of the biggest assault on the welfare state in its history, leaving little to celebrate.

A targeted focus on tackling worklessness in the communities where it is most concentrated must be at the heart of efforts to rebalance the economy. A better, bolder strategy for tackling worklessness is possible.