Tackling Welfare Dependency Head-on: Cameron Takes a Tough Line

by Komel Bajwe, associate manager, APCO London

With the Tory lead in the UK General Election only just inching ahead once again, will tough-talking Cameron strike a chord with the electorate?

In an energised and impassioned speech to the party faithful, Cameron last week unveiled the Conservative’s new poster campaign “Let’s cut benefits for those who refuse to work”. This simple, yet effective, ‘tell it like it is’ poster speaks to the Conservative’s broader concept of the Big Society, supporting those who work hard and contribute to their communities, while introducing tougher penalties for those who fail to take individual responsibility. Launching the New Welfare Contract, Cameron – who was advised by Sir David Freud, architect of Labour’s plans to privatise job training – said “to the people who are looking for work, we will always stand by you, but we will not go on helping people who can work and are offered a job and refuse to take it.”

As part of the New Welfare Contract which would be introduced 6 months after a Conservative Government takes office, greater support would be provided to people seeking work through apprenticeships and Work Clubs, as well as incentives for back-to-work providers where they will be paid back in full if they successfully place someone in employment for a year or more. Where people refuse to re-enter the workplace, benefits would be cut for anyone rejecting a ‘reasonable’ job offer. Those currently on incapacity benefits (IB) would also have their claims reassessed and transferred to Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) if deemed fit to work.

Unsurprisingly, criticism has been leveled at the Conservative’s plans; former Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell  has branded them as being far from tough or new, and current W&P Secretary Yvette Cooper commented that the plans were in danger of neglecting those most in need.

There is merit in questioning how – and by what – criteria a job will be deemed ‘reasonable’ and by what measure will those currently receiving IB be assessed. More urgently, how will those taken off JSA support themselves and their families in the event of a penalty. These are without doubt difficult questions to answer, but not reason enough to shy away from the urgent reform our welfare system requires or the bold policies the Conservatives have put forward.

Indeed, feedback from door-to-door canvassing during my own campaign to become a Conservative Councilor has been largely supportive. Conservative plans to overhaul the system form one of the better constructed parts of the Party’s rhetoric criticising the increased bureaucracy of the state under the current Government.

Komel Bajwe is a Conservative Council candidate for Barking & Dagenham