New LGA report reveals devastating impact of welfare reforms, says TUC

date: 9 August 2013

embargo: 00:01 hours Monday 12 August 2013

Commenting on research published today (Monday) by the Local Government Association (LGA), which shows that four in five welfare recipients are likely to need help from their councils to cope with the government's new social security reforms, TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady said:

'The government has tried to sell its welfare reforms on the back of mistruths and nasty stereotypes. However, this research exposes what a devastating impact its policies are having on communities throughout the country.

'Ministers are not cracking down on cheats as they claim, but destroying the safety net that our welfare state is meant to provide for those who fall on hard times through no fault of their own.

'The government's attack on social security provision is not only hurting those unable to find work. Millions of working families are seeing an even bigger reduction in their financial support.

'Rather than addressing the shortage of jobs and affordable housing that is blighting many areas, ministers are slashing local authority budgets and expecting councils to deal with the fallout from their reforms.'

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