Labour are no closer to ending rank unfairness of working people paying for the 8million on Universal Credit
That is up by a million since Labour came to power.
1
Worse, around half of claimants — 3.4million, which is more than the population of Wales — don't have to make any effort at all to find a job.
Such a massive increase in the jobless and the hopeless only adds to Britain's soaring welfare bill.
Labour did have modest plans to cut spending on benefits.
They didn't go nearly far enough, but would have been something.
But instead the reforms were botched and Keir Starmer gave in to protest from his left-wing MPs.
Since then there has been no sign of any new plan.
And in the meantime the benefits gravy train continues for some.
A chronic lack of assessment means many hundreds of thousands of claims are never properly checked.
The Universal Credit figures are yet more dreadful news on the economy for Chancellor Rachel Reeves — much of it self-inflicted.
Her National Insurance rise on business has seen companies cut thousands of jobs, adding to the benefits mountain.
Keir Starmer 'to BACK DOWN' on benefits cuts as he faces major revolt from MPs
And with a £50billion black hole to fill, more tax rises are coming in the autumn.
It seems Labour are no closer to ending the rank unfairness of a smaller number of working people paying for millions to sit at home and do nothing.
No wonder the anger of hard-grafting families is growing.
A grim toll
ON a day when Labour reached the 50,000 illegal immigrants toll, you might have expected a bit of contrition.
Instead of accepting that shocking failure, minister Jacqui Smith banged on about the Rwanda scheme.
That was a deterrent option which may have worked, but we'll never know because Labour foolishly scrapped it on day one.
Since then, the Government has served up a string of short-term plans which will either have a limited effect or be doomed to total failure.
A little more recognition of voter anger over the issue wouldn't go amiss.
Lost treasures
ONE pub a day is closing its doors forever in the UK.
But punters are desperate to see their locals survive, with polls showing they would back measures in the next Budget aimed at saving the trade.
energy costs and crippling business rates.
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