Politics · United Kingdom · 39 mins ago
Milburn review to propose changes to benefits and work support for under-25s
Alan Milburn's review is expected to propose major changes to benefits for under-25s in the UK.
The government asked the former Labour health secretary to look at how to reduce the number of young people not in education, work or training, a group known as NEETs.
Under the proposals, younger claimants could receive less because they would move off some health-related benefits and onto a basic allowance, with extra support available for some condition-related costs.
The review is also expected to recommend more job support, including placements and personal advisers, and a higher-rate benefit for people with severe disabilities who cannot work.
It may also propose that under-25s discuss their situation with specialist teams and receive return-to-work plans rather than relying on a GP fit note to be signed off work.
The government is expected to take the recommendations into legislation next year, though the plans would require major investment and could face opposition.
The review's approach could therefore change both the financial support young people receive and how they are helped towards work.
Alan Milburn’s government-commissioned review is expected to recommend changes to benefits and work support for people under 25.
The proposals would move under-25s off the health element of universal credit and personal independence payment, with some receiving less financial support.
The review is also expected to call for more employment support, including work placements, job subsidies and personal advisers.
A separate proposal would have young people discuss health and work issues with specialist teams and receive plans to support a return to work.
The review aims to help reduce the number of young people not in education, employment or training.
- Who
- Alan Milburn, a former Labour health secretary, is making the recommendations.
- What
- A review is expected to propose changes to under-25s’ benefits and employment support, including replacing some health-related benefit entitlements with an allowance.
- When
- The review was expected to be published the following week, according to the Daily Mail; the BBC said it would be published on Tuesday.
- Where
- The proposals concern young people in the UK.
- Why
- The government tasked Milburn with helping reduce the number of 18- to 24-year-olds not in education, employment or training.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A pilot scheme on fit-note reforms continued in four areas after Labour abandoned plans for broader reform.
The Daily Mail reported that Milburn’s review was expected to call for changes to the fit-note system.
The BBC reported that the review would recommend changes to benefits and employment support for under-25s.
The Daily Mail said the review was set to be published; the BBC said it would be published on Tuesday.
- Review lead
- Alan Milburn, a former Labour health secretary
- Age group
- Under-25s
- Current NEET share
- One in eight 18- to 24-year-olds in the UK
- Benefits named
- Universal credit and personal independence payment
- Employment support proposals
- Work placements, job subsidies and one-to-one personal advisers
- Fit-note pilot
- Four areas
4 sources
Local fund to replace Pip for most young disabled people under Milburn plans
Labour's blueprint for getting Neets into work 'could cost £6billion a year'
Some under-25s should get less benefits, Milburn review to say
What people are saying
Candidly, it could mean that some people will get less financial support at the beginning of their benefit claim than under the current system.
Entitlements and responsibilities are two sides of the same coin.
A fit note plunges too many young people into the benefits system when it should be about keeping them in work.
We will always ensure there is a safety net for the most vulnerable and those who are unable to work.