I read with dismay the reports in the Evening Press (May 18) that the Government is to scrap incapacity benefit for those who have been unable to remain in constant employment because of health problems.
As one of the region's providers of financial advice, my company has no doubt that the system needs reforming, but this is a disappointing move from Social Security Secretary Alistair Darling that will do little to convince the public that the Government has a wider reform perspective in mind.
It is impractical for people who have intermittent health problems to meet the new criteria laid down by the government. This extension of means-testing also discriminates against savers which goes against the Government's stated aim of encouraging personal provision.
I hope that the delay in passing the Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill indicates a change of heart rather than a cynical ploy to get the legislation through Parliament when minds are focused elsewhere.
Andrew Bartles,
Independent Financial Advisor,
Broadhead Peel Rhodes,
Leeds, Harrogate and Sheffield.
Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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