Turn2us responds to PM speech at Labour Conference

Claire Atchia McMaster, director of income and external affairs at anti-poverty charity Turn2us, says:

“We share the Prime Minister’s ambition for a country that gives equal voice to every person, and welcome a more compassionate and supportive approach to helping people who can work to find secure and meaningful jobs. Alongside directly addressing the nation’s health needs through a plan to fix public services, the government must focus on listening to people’s experiences and rebuilding trust in our social security system.

“Stigmatising language around fraud and worklessness risks deterring people away from the support they need. While fraud accounts for a small minority of cases in the social security system, it is estimated that up to £23 billion in support goes unclaimed each year.  Our social security system is a safety net that most of us will rely on at some point in our lives. It's vital that everyone who needs it feels supported and confident to access the help available to them.”