Figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats reveal that 1.5 million people have been claiming Incapacity Benefit, Income Support or Jobseekers Allowance for more than 5 years. Of these, more than half a million people have been claiming for between 5 and 9 years, while 700,000 have been claiming for over 12 years. 

Commenting, Vic D’Albert, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Bury South, said:  “Under Labour people have become trapped in a system where they have to be out of work for a year before getting extra help to find a job. Under Labour you fend for yourself or fall by the wayside for the first year. This is the way to destroy a person’s confidence not boost their job prospects.

“The situation is even worse for people with health problems who are sent away and abandoned on benefits. People who don’t get help from day one find themselves ignored and forced into debt, with the constant worry making it even harder to get a job, and the far reaching impact for their families.

“Ministers need to change the system so that people get real help from the second they walk into a Jobcentre. They need help immediately and are better equipped to respond to help at an earlier stage. This Government has failed too many people just when they have needed help most. How many more will they fail before making changes that will really count.”