In Britain today, millions of people who could work are instead trapped on benefits. That’s not compassion – it’s failure.
It’s failure for taxpayers who shoulder an ever-growing bill. But above all, it’s failure for those left behind – written off by a system that too often pays people not to work instead of helping them build a better life.
Since the election, more than a million people have signed on to universal credit. Nearly a million young people are not in education, employment or training.
Welfare spending on children and working-age benefits will soar by £30 billion across this Parliament – an increase bigger than the entire police budget.
This isn’t sustainable, and it isn’t right. Conservatives believe work is the best route out of poverty – for individuals, for families, and for our country.
Work gives people pride, purpose, and independence. That’s the moral case for fixing welfare.
The last Conservative government proved what can be achieved.
We introduced universal credit, halved unemployment, and reduced the benefits bill in real terms.
But Labour has reversed that progress. They’ve ditched welfare reforms – and now they’re preparing to lift the two-child benefit cap, sending costs even higher.
Despite all the talk, Labour’s welfare policy boils down to spending more and expecting less.
Our plan is different. We know what it will take to get people off benefits and working again.
We will make sure only those who need help get it. That includes putting a stop to sickness benefits for low-level mental health problems like anxiety.
No more free Motability cars for ADHD and tennis elbow.
And a return to face-to-face assessments and job centre meetings.
We’ll make sure it pays people to work, and stop abandoning young people onto a life on benefits. That will save billions.
That’s only fair to taxpayers and means the welfare budget can go to those who need it, not be wasted on people who would be better off getting a job. Our welfare system should be a safety net, not a lifestyle choice.
These are common-sense changes rooted in Conservative values – responsibility, fairness and aspiration.
Fairness to those who pay in, compassion for those who truly need help, and belief in every person’s potential to contribute.
We can’t build a stronger, fairer country if millions are written off as unable to work. The moral duty of government is not to trap people in dependency, but to give them the opportunity – and the expectation – to stand on their own two feet.
That’s what Conservatives believe in. That’s how we’ll get Britain working again.
- Helen Whately is the Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
