Two major speeches targeted at less than 2 per cent of welfare spending
Two major speeches, two policies announced, two benefits targeted but less than 2 per cent of welfare spending affected.
Two major speeches, two policies announced, two benefits targeted but less than 2 per cent of welfare spending affected.
The problem with under 25s is not Housing Benefit – which often provides essential support for those with no other home to go to – it’s a failed system of benefits, training and work.
Westminster should be trying to help the growing number of disillusioned and increasingly desperate young people, not punishing them.
Launching a triumphalist defence of the very entities the public increasingly feel they are being ripped off by may please your average strident Thatcherite, but it’s unlikely to go down anywhere near as well outside of the conference hall.
If some Tories feel they can’t move further rightwards than mass housebuilding, higher minimum wages and tough corporate regulations, then wouldn’t their triumph really represent a triumph for Labour and social democracy?
To the question of whether one can be a Conservative and a trade unionist, the answer is of course yes. But perhaps in the same way that a turkey can theoretically vote for Christmas.
Those targeted by a new workfare scheme to be announced by chancellor George Osborne today make up just 5 per cent of JSA claims and 2.5 per cent of the benefits bill.