Burnham's office 'examines impact of benefits overhaul'

THE major shake-up to benefits announced by DWP minister Liz Kendall is being examined by Andy Burnham’s office, it’s understood.

- By ETHAN DAVIES

Reforms to social security are designed to save £5bn by the end of the 2020s after Ms Kendall claimed the welfare system is ‘failing the very people it’s supposed to help’

Changes include merging jobseekers allowance and employment support allowance, ‘rebalancing’ universal credit payments, scrapping work capability assessments, and guaranteeing a ‘right to try’ work which prevents jobseekers’ claims being reassessed.

And another key government reform is a commitment to spend an extra £1b per year on employment support, the service which helps people get back into a job, as ministers hope to create a ‘high quality, tailored help to support you on a pathway to work’