Douglas Alexander used his first major speech as Shadow Secretary for Work and Pensions to criticise the Coalition Government’s welfare proposals – and warned Iain Duncan Smith that his reforms will be meaningless against a backdrop of £18billion in welfare cuts and a jobless recovery.
Britain does not have a “bloated welfare” system despite George Osborne’s rhetoric. The truth is that welfare spending is lower than at any time from 1979 to 1997.
Mr Osborne’s attack today on out-of-work benefits and his rhetoric on ‘fair play’ lack credibility, and mean the coalition cannot be trusted on welfare reform.
Nigel Stanley of the TUC welcomes Reform’s new report on “The Front Line”
The latest report by Right-wing think tank reform could lead to the dismantling of the welfare safety net for millions of Britons.
Alex Hern covers the response from Macmillan cancer support to the government’s welfare reform bill, now in the House of Lords.
If the Welfare Reform Bill passes, the results will be horrific and at the Department for Work and Pensions, they are confident that it is a price worth paying.
Sue Marsh reports on the welfare reform bill – in particular the changes to Employment Support Allowance, ESA.
As the Welfare Reform Bill receives its Commons second reading today, cancer charities have joined the increasing chorus of those concerned about the potentially disastrous impact of the legislation.
Yesterday’s Welfare Reform Bill contains huge changes for the UK’s social security system – as well as a number of damaging new sanctions and fines, reports Nicola Smith.
