War of words | 28 June 2010

Yvette Cooper has condemned IDS’ ‘nasty’ rhetoric this morning and claimed that the government’s proposals are about ideological cuts, not welfare reform. It’s simple, but effective. IDS’ reforms are both radical and necessary. The plan is to incentivise movement out of areas of welfare dependency with regional tax breaks and housing guarantees. There is a clear link between this policy and the non-EU migrant cap, which will protect at least some low skilled or unskilled jobs. A policy that encourages fairness, aspiration and a first chance in life for those condemned to worklessness by accident of birth.

But the coalition is losing the rhetorical argument. When used in conjunction with population movement, the words ‘ghetto’ and ‘dependency’ assume an almost totalitarian air. This has enabled Labour to shift the debate from policy to politics. Also, the coalition has emphasised this policy’s long-term money saving potential, which has allowed Balls et al to characterise the proposals as pure ideology.