Welfare reform “fails to address issue of failing national health”

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s plans to reform the welfare system has received mixed reviews within the physical activity sector.

On 19 April, the PM set out plans which will see people who are “fit to work” but do not accept job offers will have their benefits taken away after 12 months. Sunak said “unemployment support should be a safety net, never a choice” as he promised to “make sure that hard work is always rewarded”.

According to physical activity sector body ukactive, however, the measures provide no real solutions to the core issue – the declining health of the nation. ukactive CEO Huw Edwards, said: “The PM’s emphasis on the mechanics of determining mental health fails to address the fundamental issue that, by most indicators, our national health has notably deteriorated.”