In a radical overhaul of the welfare state, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions James Purnell today (21 July) announced proposals to scrap incapacity benefits by 2013 and abolish Income Support to create a more streamlined system based on just two working-age benefits – the Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), for those who have a medical condition which prevents them from working, and Jobseekers’ Allowance (JSA) for everyone who is able to work.

The new reforms were unveiled in a green paper published today “ No one written off: reforming welfare to reward responsibility”.

The publication of the green paper will be followed by three months of public consultation on its proposals. Mr Purnell urged everyone – whether large private firms or individual benefit claimants – to make their views heard and play an active role in shaping the policies.

No one written off: reforming welfare to reward responsibility green paper

James Purnell’s statement

Read the full press release