It's time for the Government to finally deliver welfare reform

The Government has today published its Welfare Reform Green Paper. Responding, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, David Frost, said:

"It's over a decade since we were told that the Government would think the unthinkable. I'm happy that they have finally taken David Freud's recommendations on in full, but they must ensure that the vision they have set out today is not diluted when these proposals go through parliament. It's time to deliver.

"So far the Government has failed to grasp the nettle of welfare reform. We have a welfare state that weighs heavily on the taxpayer and does immense damage to large regions of the country which have been blighted by worklessness and welfare dependency.  They must seize this opportunity for genuine reform while making a commitment to improve the skills of those looking for work.  The economy and our workforce will continue to suffer if the Government fails to rise to this challenge."

Ends

Media Contacts:

Fiona Cunningham
Tel: 020 7654 5812
Email: f.cunningham@britishchambers.org.uk

OR

Sam Turvey
Tel: 020 7654 5813
Email: s.turvey@britishchambers.org.uk

Notes to Editors:

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is the National Voice of Local Business.
The BCC sits at the heart of a powerful nationwide network of Accredited Chambers of Commerce serving business across the UK, which employ over five million people.