Is Theresa May priming a second Freud Review?
Peter Hoskin 1:36pm
In some respects, Theresa May has delivered an effective speech on unemployment and the benefits system today. It touches on all the tragic indicators - the 6 million people on out-of-work benefits, the high levels of youth worklessness, the shocking consequences of welfare ghettoes etc. - and re-states, in no uncertain terms, the Tories' commitment to welfare reform. She even partially responds to those critics who thought she'd been drafted into the shadow welfare role to be "softer" on single mums than Labour, by instead attacking the state for encouraging lone parents "not to bother trying to work until their youngest child was sixteen".
But perhaps the most crucial passage is where May admits that "the [economic] context has changed from when David Freud wrote his paper on reforming welfare". I've blogged on a few occasions (say, here and here) that the Tories need to get Freud, their welfare adviser, to update his original review for the new, darker economic landscape. May didn't have anything else to say on the matter, but at least it's a sign that the Tories see the need for a rethink. What chance we get Freud 2.0 in the next few months?
Previous
Verity
August 27th, 2009 3:38pm Report this commentWhat is the percentage of Third Worlder out of work "benefits"?
James Strachan
August 27th, 2009 3:42pm Report this commentThe economic context has changed and this lends some urgency to addressing the welfare problem.
But the real reason for urgency is that lives on welfare are wasted lives, and that this waste often carries on to the next generation.
And this waste is caused by a welfare system that is complex and highly regressive. We worry about a top tax rate of 50% but people trapped in the benefit system often find that the combination of tax increases and benefit reductions leaves them worse off if they earn extra money.
Living on benefits isn't just giving up. Well, it is. It is a rational response to an irrational system.
seb2
August 27th, 2009 5:03pm Report this commentIt was a long speech which claimed to be serious about welfare reform, but in truth she cannot name a single group on out-of-work benefits who she thinks should be required to move into work.
If she cant even name a single group, what chance bold policies?
May just isnt a reformer
John Page
August 27th, 2009 9:22pm Report this commentPerhaps. But Cameron's not going to let any shadow minister speak out before an election and say they plan to slash so many people off the welfare rolls. For political reasons it will be stern generalities.
So May gets a chance to show that she and Freud can produce coherent policies in private. If she can't, she won't deserve the job.
Dave B
August 27th, 2009 10:25pm Report this comment...or they could take the Direct Democracy model of making welfare the responsibility of local rather than central government.
Tony E
August 28th, 2009 7:52am Report this commentThe first thing the Conservatives need to do is to create a method of counting which is much more accurate.
It is quite possible that we could find a situation where unemployment is closer 5 million than 3 million.
There is very little point changing policy based on poor stats.
As for Seb2's assertion that May failed to 'name a group' which could be moved into work. This is an oversimplistic approach (and would lend itself well to Labour's spin doctors). It could never be achieved, better to look at every group and move those who can (and should) work but are not, straight into the JSA list. Then you are dealing with one group, those who must look actively for work to claim their benefit.
Barry Glone
August 28th, 2009 12:01pm Report this commentThere's no jobs out there! I want to work but I'm no picking strawberries or working in tescos for a living I can tell you that. Give me a decent salary and decent conditions! But there's nothing. I saw a job advertised in my local job centre recently. Admin job - £19,000 a year! What does that get you these days? nothin!
tony
August 28th, 2009 3:13pm Report this commentThe tories are such vile people
naz shan
August 28th, 2009 3:23pm Report this commentDear Barry,
Re: Barry Glone
August 28th, 2009 12:01pm
I am looking for sarcasm in your comment and cannot see any. If you think £19,000 is beneath you, then you really do deserve all that is coming to you.
"Give me a decent salary and decent conditions" you add. Nothing in this world is free, anything worth having you have to work for.
If you are suitably qualified, then yes you may expect something more. However, if you are not, then why do you expect other taxpayers to keep you in comfort?
Brian H
August 28th, 2009 3:23pm Report this comment19,000 a year gets you nothing - my goodness the benefits system must need sorting if working for less thzan 19k is a no no. Try being a pensioner, I am sure they would love an income of even half that amount
Back to top