The Welfare State..

So David Cameron today delivered a speech on the Welfare Reform Bill - aka the ‘dismantling of the Welfare State’ Bill - with his usual confidence and unfettered self belief.
Our P.M was quick to assert that the bill is “not an exercise in accounting” yet referred to it as "an economic necessity” Keen to stoke up the passions of the passionate people he also referred to it as a “moral necessity”...of...“changing our culture”
What culture?...Oh – of course - he means the Benefits Culture… the Welfare- State- Culture..
Since its conception the Welfare State has been the pride of Britain across the World. Hard to disagree with Beverages principles of - the eradication of want, disease, squalor, ignorance, and idleness, especially when you consider what life in Britain was like at that time.
So what’s changed?
Why now - does our 43yr old Prime Minister feel the need to further subjugate people to a life of banal poverty and squalor?
There’s nothing morally right, or morally necessary about imposing draconian punishment on those who are little able to fight back.
Speaking today Cameron said “ If you're unemployed and refuse to take either a reasonable job(define reasonable!) or do some work in your community in return for your unemployment benefit (Big Society?) you will lose your benefit for 3mths, do it again, you’ll lose it for 6mths, refuse a third time and you’ll lose your unemployment benefits for 3yrs”

Does Mr Cameron not know any unemployed people? You see I feel that if he did, he could not so comfortably impose such a rule. If he does – then I’m shocked… well...almost. I also find it unusual to hear such out of touch rhetoric from a man of his age... let’s face it he’s young...around my age actually – and our 'generation' is not supposed to be as ‘stiff necked’ as the generations before us!!.. Are we not meant to be the cool ones??.. what happened to ‘Cool Britannia’? - Oh sorry .. that was ‘Blair’s’ honeymoon… well - the honey moon is well and truly over now.. but still - I’m confused - how will these people live? - What will they eat - how will they wash - what will they wear - how will they pay their rent… with- no- money?
David Cameron talks about wanting to simplify the system - then goes on to say…
“You’re on Job Seekers Allowance and you have the chance to do a few hours work. - today after the first £5 you earn, you lose a pound of benefits for every extra pound you take home, but with the universal credit you would keep 35p of benefit for every extra pound you take home..”
Eh??
Apparently 1 in 4 adults of working age, (who the government suspect can work) are not working...and that is an issue, yes... but the real issue for me is - why? - If it’s through lack of education and skills ( which in my experience is often the case) then that’s what we need to invest in.. Not ‘cut’ – ‘invest’. The confidence of the unemployed will increase as a wonderful by product, and the country - as a benefactor – will benefit.

I do not believe in Idleness either... most people don't - but if the jobs that the 1in 4 currently have access to won’t pay them enough – the choices for them right now are – ‘take that job and not pay my rent ‘( risk homelessness) or 'take that job and not eat every day’ ( risk poor health ) or - don't take that job - and risk the wrath of David Cameron’s policies…hmmm

I don’t disagree with everything Cameron says - not at all –on some things he has a point - but on this one I get the feeling that Beverages principles of Income, Heath Education Housing and Employment are in serious danger… It makes me nervous.. I wonder - If Beverage were around today - what he would think – would he be nervous too?

Let's hope this Bill works - for all our sakes!