James Purnell yesterday confirmed that David Freud-style welfare reform will be implemented by the Government. And now Frank Field writes a comment piece for the Telegraph, warning his Labour compatriots not to get complacent on the issue. As usual, he’s well-worth listening to:
“It is not the first time that Labour has trumpeted its credentials and objectives on welfare reform. The electorate won’t be so easily beguiled this time. With an election unlikely to take place until the very end of the parliament, voters will want to see results rather than listen to brave rhetoric…
…But to match fine rhetoric the government will have to be far more radical than it has disclosed to its parliamentary supporters. Three further mini revolutions are required.
The Government’s thinking on single parents is confused. In future single parents will have to seek work after their youngest child reaches not sixteen, as at present, but at 7.
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