The cross-party consensus on welfare reform echoes the Gingrich–Clinton revolution

19 July 2008

Fraser Nelson on the coming political week

This former banker has been transferred like a football star between warring teams. He was initially appointed by Tony Blair to produce a report which proposed mass privatisation of welfare provision. This did not endear him to Mr Brown, and he was given one dressing down by the then Chancellor that lasted 45 minutes. When Mr Blair resigned, Freud was cut adrift as Mr Brown’s intellectual purge — killing ideas that were not his own — began in earnest.

Like many homeless Blairites, Mr Freud was then given sanctuary by the Policy Exchange think tank, which debriefed him and repackaged his ideas for eager consumption by the Conservatives. And in January it was Chris Grayling, the shadow work and pensions secretary, who proposed to adopt his ‘work-for-dole’ system, and cut the benefits of those who refused to comply. To Mr Grayling’s surprise — and Mr Brown’s horror — this ‘tough love’ plan was given a warm reception.

What happened next gives a fascinating insight into Mr Brown’s psyche. Mr Purnell was given permission to lure Mr Freud back and to have him make his report on government policy. Things had changed, utterly. Once, civil servants joked that the way to get a plan past Mr Brown was to include a chart showing how it helped the poorest most. Now, it is enough to persuade him that a plan will hurt Mr Cameron. More or less anything will be approved if it meets this criterion — even plans that involve the mass privatisation of welfare provision.

So on Monday, Mr Freud will be witnessing the second incarnation of his plans thus far this year — but this time bearing a red rosette. He has been helping Mr Purnell draft the Green Paper, and every part of his wish list will be included. The Treasury has agreed to release cash from the welfare budget to private welfare-to-work providers (a key requirement) for three pilot cities. Anyone who has been unemployed for more than two years will be asked to perform community service, like cleaning parks or removing graffiti. Drug addicts will be refused welfare if they do not seek help.

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Mike. Brighton

July 18th, 2008 1:06pm Report this comment

Cameron is best to embrace Purnells' plans with sadness that it has taken 11 years to get them, 11 years of people living in welfare finance idleness and poverty. Cameron should welcome the plan but point to its shortcomings contrasted with Graylings version - and say you need a Tory government for meaningful welfare reform

Kiffa

July 18th, 2008 9:18pm Report this comment

Charles Murray has the perfect solution.

Nick S

August 16th, 2008 2:01pm Report this comment

Labour said they would do more to reduce welfare dependence right from when they got elected in 1997. They have failed miserably. Why should anyone believe they can achieve anything now?

val cardwell

December 4th, 2008 12:08am Report this comment

There is nothing even human, let alone Left-Wing,about dragging the ill and disabled out to do slave-labour for private "gaffers". Or dragging mothers away from their children before they're even out of nappies! As in Yankee-Land, it is visiting "cruel and unusual" punishment on the sick and vulnerable, just for being the weakest section of society. Oh! I forgot, the Thatcher, and now "New Labour" Mantra-"there is no such thing as society". Blair and Co. must be a delight to the old Harridan. They've gone further than even SHE dared. What fools the Brit public are, to stand for such criminal, greedy liars, and their "make the rich richer" credo.

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