GOVERNMENT proposals to help people back to work were criticised today for imposing fresh sanctions and forcing disabled people into unsuitable work.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is expected to announce measures in his Budget on Wednesday targeting the over-50s, the long-term sick and disabled and benefits claimants who are not in jobs.

Employment activity has not recovered to anywhere near pre-pandemic levels, adding to Britain’s existing economic problems.

As part of a newly trumpeted “back to work Budget,” Mr Hunt is to axe the system used to assess eligibility for sickness benefits.

It will mean benefits claimants can continue to receive their payments after they return to employment, according to the Treasury.

The Chancellor has faced pressure to act on childcare, after it was shown to be among the most expensive in the world.

He will announce a rise in the maximum universal credit childcare allowance, which has been frozen at £646 a month per child for years, by several hundred pounds, the Treasury said, without providing the exact amount.

But the measures also include a ramping up of sanctions for claimants who do not look for or take up employment.

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “Some of these changes are long overdue, such as greater childcare support in universal credit. 

“And scrapping the work capability assessment will be welcome if it means an end to assessments that cause anxiety instead of helping people achieve their aspirations.

“But proposals to ramp up the use of sanctions are worrying. And we need more comprehensive changes, such as fully funded universal childcare provision.

“Our public services need investment too, so that people are not kept out of work because they are on a long waiting list for NHS treatment, or because they cannot access the training they need.”

Scope’s director of strategy James Taylor said scrapping the work capability assessment “is the minimum change needed to even begin improving a welfare system that regularly fails disabled people.”

“To be successful these proposals must lead to a more person-centred system that offers specialist, tailored and flexible back to work support,” he said.

“Those that want to work should be supported. But for some, that’s not an option and disabled people shouldn’t be forced into unsuitable work.”