Federation welcomes government's welfare reforms
Monday 7 June 2010
The National Housing Federation has welcomed the Government’s plans to reform the welfare system to support people into work and said housing associations were well placed to deliver jobs and training under the new welfare to work programme.
The Federation, which represents England’s housing associations, said the Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith was right to identify the sudden withdrawal of benefits when people take up employment as a problem that needs tackling.
Housing associations could also play a key role in rolling out the welfare to work programme – having established a strong track record for providing jobs and training in communities hit hard by unemployment throughout the country.
Federation assistant director Helen Williams said: 'The Government has rightly identified the problems caused by the sudden withdrawal of benefits once someone has taken a job.
'This is something we have long argued should be looked at and we are keen to work with the Government to design a system which encourages people into employment.
'Housing associations are at the forefront of helping people back to work, especially young adults through apprenticeships and other training schemes, and will be well placed to help the Government roll out these programmes to communities throughout the country.'
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