Reform UK’s Lee Anderson says he ‘gamed’ advantages system in former job

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Your help makes all of the distinction. Learn extra Reform UK’s Lee Anderson has admitted he used to “recreation the system” to assist folks get on advantages and accused Residents Recommendation of constant to take action.

The Ashfield MP informed a press convention in central London on Wednesday that he labored on the recommendation organisation earlier than coming into politics.

“Earlier than I got here into politics, I labored for the Residents Recommendation Bureau,” the Ashfield MP informed a press convention.

“We used to fill the shape out for shoppers… I can let you know now, we had been gaming system.”

He mentioned it was “a contest” between the adviser and the Division for Work and Pensions.

He mentioned he knew advisers on the organisation who had “a 100% hit price” on advantages purposes and will get “the fittest man in Ashfield” onto private independence cost (Pip).

Reform says it needs to cease folks exploiting the system as a part of its welfare reduce proposals.

Head of coverage Zia Yusuf mentioned “extremely, the evaluation handbook is on-line” as he in contrast making use of for illness advantages to “doing all your driving idea take a look at and having the solutions on-line for you”.

He mentioned the overwhelming majority of distant interviews, deemed extra beneficiant, would get replaced by face-to-face ones underneath a Reform authorities.

Extra common reassessments can be launched for individuals who qualify.

Mr Yusuf informed a central London press convention: “The caseload for brand new claims for under-25s on this nation on Pip have tripled in 5 years.

“So we're betraying our younger folks. Reassessments are mainly not taking place anymore. These younger persons are … being mainly tossed onto a scrap heap for the remainder of their lives.”

Mr Anderson, the occasion’s welfare spokesman, mentioned: “The alarm clock technology is now being changed by an nervousness technology.”

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As an alternative of going to work, they're “staying at residence all day, courtesy of taxpayer-funded employment help, loans and private independence funds”, he mentioned.

Mr Anderson additionally hit again at Baron Heseltine over the Tory grandee’s criticism of Nigel Farage’s occasion.

The Conservative peer, who served as deputy prime minister to John Main, had informed The Occasions Reform UK was a “reincarnation of Oswald Mosley and his fascists within the 30s when it was the Jews (who had been the goal), and of Enoch Powell with immigrants within the 60s”.

Former Tory Mr Anderson mentioned it was “deeply disagreeable” of Lord Heseltine “to say these items about Reform UK”.

“He simply must shut up and go away,” he added.

The Labour Authorities sought to limit eligibility to Pip earlier this yr, however its welfare reforms had been watered down after a backbench revolt.

Requested if the Authorities agreed with Reform UK’s Pip plans, Expertise Secretary Liz Kendall mentioned ministers wish to “ensure that this positively very important profit goes to the individuals who most want it”.

Ms Kendall, who was work and pensions secretary earlier than the latest Cupboard reshuffle, added: “That’s why we now have Sir Stephen Timms conducting an intensive evaluate of that profit.”

Whereas some disabled folks “need and want that further help”, others needs the chance to work, she added.

Ms Kendall continued: “What my message is, is that this Labour Authorities is right here to help those that want that assist probably the most, to supply alternatives to work, and that I imagine is the best method in coping with this challenge.”

A Labour Occasion spokesperson mentioned: “Like all of Reform’s insurance policies, their newest plan is already falling aside.

“It’s no shock Reform don’t appear to know what their very own plan is on face-to-face assessments, given their welfare chief Lee Anderson was a cheerleader for the Tories after they slashed the quantity by over 90%. Labour is rising them.

“This Labour Authorities is decided to supply younger folks hope and actual alternatives. Our youth assure will be sure that 18 to 21-year-olds have an actual probability of both studying or incomes.”

A Liberal Democrats supply mentioned: “Anybody dwelling underneath the management of a Reform-led council proper now, as they put together to hike up council tax regardless of promising the alternative, will know firsthand that their sums merely don't add up. Reform have no idea what they're doing.”