7 November 2005 - Hutton embarks on renewal of welfare and pensions
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions John Hutton on first Ministerial visit to Manchester
Newly appointed Secretary of State for Work and Pensions John Hutton spoke today of his determination to press on with the renewal of our welfare and pension system to make it fit for the modern challenges and opportunities of a 21st century society.
In his first Ministerial visit to Manchester, he visited Jobcentre Plus with Cllr Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, to learn about the Stepping Stones into Work project, meeting staff, advisers and a current incapacity benefit recipient being helped back into work. He also joined Minister for Pensions Reform Stephen Timms and Minister for Women Tessa Jowell to host a National Pensions Debate focusing on the particular issues facing women’s pensions.
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions John Hutton said:
“I am determined to press ahead with the Government’s ambitious programme to renew our welfare and pensions system. I have joined the Department at an important time and came to Manchester today to meet those on the frontline delivering services, and also to listen to members of the public about their pensions challenges – particularly those faced by women.
“Retreating from the challenge of renewal means abandoning the most vulnerable members of our community. I will not let that happen. I am committed to building a modern, active and inclusive welfare state that balances rights with responsibilities; that matches respect of society for the individual with respect by the individual for society; and which, above all, helps people to lift themselves out of dependency and enables them to make their contribution to our society.
Cllr Richard Leese said:
“Getting people off incapacity benefit and into work is essential for the regeneration of Manchester, the health of the city and health and wellbeing of the citizens involved. We are committed to working with Government on flexible and innovative ways of supporting people back into employment”.
Stephen Timms, Minister for Pensions Reform, said:
“We have taken steps to help today’s women pensioners, particularly through Pension Credit which has lifted 1.3 million women out of abject poverty. We want to build a system that works for women. It is not just about lifting women out of poverty in retirement, but ensuring they do not face the prospect of financial hardship in the first place.
“It is very encouraging that so many stakeholder groups and individuals have got involved in the National Pensions Debate. Delivering fair outcomes for women will be central to the consensus we build to address the pensions challenge."
The National Pensions Debate was attended by stakeholders and pensions industry representatives in the morning and members of the public in the afternoon. Mr Hutton also visited a Jobcentre Plus in Cheetham Hill where he met advisers and those benefiting from the Stepping Stones to Work Programme.
Notes for Editors
- “Women and Pensions – The Evidence” is available online at http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/dwp/2005/wp/women-pensions.pdf
- To find out more about the National Pensions Debate go to www.dwp.gov.uk/debate
- Stepping Stones into Work is funded by Manchester City Council, via Neighbourhood Renewal Funding. It aims to help Manchester residents not currently working because of sickness or disability into, or closer to, employment. It is managed by Jobcentre Plus and delivered in partnership with the Employment Regeneration Partnership.
Press office media enquiries: please contact Ben Lloyd 020 7238 0758
Press office: 020 7238 0694
Textphone: 020 7238 0788
Out of hours: 07659 108 883
Public enquiries: 020 7712 2171