Photo credit: www.bbc.com
Treasury Minister Apologizes for Controversial Comments on Disability Benefits
Treasury minister Darren Jones has issued an apology following remarks he made regarding benefits cuts for disabled individuals, which drew significant backlash. During an appearance on the BBC’s Politics Live, Jones was discussing welfare cuts post-Spring Statement when he referenced his children’s pocket money to illustrate his point.
Government studies indicate that by 2030, over three million families could see their incomes reduced by an average of £1,720 per year due to forthcoming benefit cuts. In his defense of these cuts, Jones compared the situation to his children taking on Saturday jobs alongside their pocket money. However, his remarks were soon labeled as “offensive” and “patronizing,” prompting him to express regret for what he called “tactless” comments.
On the ITV programme Peston, Jones stated, “I’m sorry about it. It was tactless and it wasn’t well considered. I apologise if I’ve offended people.” His comments were met with criticism, including from Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who characterized Jones’s analogy as inappropriate when asked about it on LBC Radio.
Reeves, while acknowledging the analogy was flawed, argued that there are many individuals with disabilities eager to work and suggested a comparison to older children managing their own allowances. She outlined a scenario where a teenager’s reduced pocket money could motivate them to find employment, emphasizing that the analogy Jones used was not fitting.
As criticism mounted, Apsana Begum, an independent MP, described Jones’s original remarks as “staggering,” while Labour MP Rachael Maskell condemned them as disgraceful, highlighting that benefits serve as a critical lifeline for those in need.
Steve Darling, the Liberal Democrat work and pensions spokesman, who is visually impaired, labeled Jones’s comments as “incredibly insulting,” pointing to a failure by the government to appreciate the challenges that people with disabilities face.
During the Spring Statement, Reeves outlined further cuts to benefits, as assessments from the Office for Budget Responsibility indicated that new changes would not yield the expected revenue for the government. Predictions suggest that approximately 800,000 individuals may lose access to Personal Independent Payments (PIP) by 2030. Additionally, around 2.25 million recipients of the health top-up to universal credit are anticipated to lose approximately £500 annually due to a benefit freeze, further impacting those already facing financial difficulties.
Although around 3.9 million households not receiving health elements of universal credit could see a modest increase of about £265 per year from raised standard allowances, a significant concern remains. The government’s own assessments predict that 250,000 more individuals, including 50,000 children, could fall into relative poverty due to these changes.
Despite the bleak outlook, ministers have emphasized that these figures do not consider the additional funding meant to aid individuals with disabilities in seeking employment. Jones reiterated this perspective on Politics Live, stating, “The impact assessment doesn’t account for the benefit that you get from our additional money into support for training, skills or work.” He defended his analogy further, suggesting that the impact assessment would depict a purely negative financial picture without recognizing the potential benefits of work opportunities.
Source
www.bbc.com