Compassion cannot cloud judgement on welfare reform in this country
The right-thinking majority do not want to see those that have fallen on hard times unduly punished. The welfare state is there to act as a safety net for those who do suffer from misfortune in life.
Unfortunately, for too many living off benefits has become a cushy lifestyle. One that affords them trappings that even working people cannot afford.
Earlier this week the TaxPayers Alliance (TPA) revealed that one in five working age adults are on universal credit, meaning some 7.3 million adults in England and Wales are dependent on the state.
The Government has made the right noises about trying to get people back to work. However, so far it has failed to deliver. The welfare bill keeps going up and it is the working people that are picking up the tab.
In addition to ensuring people out of work have the opportunity to develop the appropriate skills to find a job, the Government needs to get tough on those that see living off benefits as a choice when they could, with a little help, be working and contributing to the economy. An economy that can ill-afford to carry more and more passengers.
Plans launched by the Conservatives to grasp the nettle on welfare reform are not to be dismissed.
In addition to preventing claimants from spending benefits on cigarettes, alcohol and gambling, through a “back to work” prepayment card, the Opposition is also proposing to reduce the amount paid for those out of work for more than six months who haven't contributed to the welfare system through taxes for years. Compassion cannot be allowed to cloud the cold hard reality that Britain faces when it comes to welfare.