"Don't Punish People Who Want To Work"

12.00.00am GMT Wed 2nd Feb 2005

Michael German, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrat has criticised Labour's plans for welfare reforms.

Prime Minister Tony Blair has outlined plans for getting more people off incapacity benefit and into work. Mr Blair said there would be three "key elements" to plans for new claimants for incapacity benefit. These would include reforming those rules that pay claimants more the longer they are on benefit and those that penalise those people who want to return to work.

Michael German, AM for South Wales East, said: "We need to give people the support they need to get back into work rather than just forcing them off benefits and into poverty. That's why the Liberal Democrats would refocus the New Deal budget into Individual Work Schemes. We would also introduce Partial Capability Benefit so that those currently on Incapacity Benefits, whose condition fluctuates or who are capable of doing some paid work, could find employment without the risk of losing their benefits altogether.

"In some areas of South East Wales as many as 20% of the working-age population are claiming Incapacity Benefit. Many claimants have genuine illnesses. However, the bigger problem facing the region is how to encourage those people who are capable of work, to seek employment. In this respect, the Labour Assembly Government is failing the people of South Wales - many of whom have voted Labour all their lives - by failing to provide the skills and opportunities their communities need to flourish."