Calderdale Council leader calls for regional benefits powers

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 2 Nov, 04:32 · Archive

Calderdale Council's leader has called for regional powers over welfare policy to address what he says is an issue affecting millions of workers.

Cllr Dan Sutherland of Calderdale Council has called for regional powers over welfare policy. He claims millions of workers in the country and the region would be financially better off on benefits than in their current employment, presenting this as an obstacle to employment support efforts.

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority Board has been told that preparations are underway to transfer employment support delivery from the Department of Work and Pensions to the WYCA by early 2028. Employment support includes job coaching, skills training, help with CVs and interviews, support for people with health conditions, and programmes for those not in education, employment or training.

Sutherland told the WYCA Board that granting local authorities power to set policy around unemployment benefits would help 'deal with the crux of the issue'. He stated: 'There are millions of people in this country, and many in this region, who do the commendable thing of getting up every day and going to work, when they would be better off on benefits, financially.' He added that employment support alone would struggle to address this underlying problem.

How it is being reported

• 'Give us power over benefits in Calderdale as millions better off on welfare'Cllr Dan Sutherland has called for regional powers on welfare, citing research suggesting millions of workers could be financially better off on benefits, as West Yorkshire Combined Authority seeks greater control over employment support from the DWPHuddersfield Examiner · 2 Nov, 04:00
• Calderdale Council leader calls for regional control of benefits policyThe leader of Calderdale Council has called for regional powers on welfare as a way to ‘deal with’ his claim that millions of workers would be ‘better off’ on benefits.Telegraph & Argus · 31 Oct, 06:10

In this story: Cllr Dan Sutherland · Calderdale Council · West Yorkshire Combined Authority · Department of Work and Pensions · Illingworth and Mixenden

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