The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the Rt Hon Iain Duncan Smith, MP, attended a lunch hosted by the East Lothian Conservative and Unionist Association (ELCUA) in North Berwick on Wednesday 27 March. Over 110 attended.
Tim Jackson, ELCUA Vice-Chairman commented after his visit:
“We were delighted that he visited us. He has, of course, strong links with Scotland, being born in Edinburgh and having served with the Scots Guards.
It was fascinating to hear from the person overseeing the current welfare reforms. He stressed that the Coalition’s commitment to restoring a strong economy was not separate from its commitment to an affordable and resilient welfare state.
He told us that when the Coalition came to power in 2010 it was faced with a spiralling welfare bill of benefits, tax credits and pensions which had increased under the previous administration from £122 to £197 billion.
He pointed out that, contrary to the headlines, all those currently on benefits will see cash increases in every year of this Parliament. This was very different to countries such as Ireland, Spain and Portugal where cuts were being made.
He did not deny that some housing changes would cause difficulties. As a result, £10 million had been allocated to Scottish local authorities to help manage them. Also, there were exemptions to the Benefit Cap for the most vulnerable, including war widows and those with severe disabilities.
What was clear is that he feels passionately that urgent reforms are necessary which the country can afford, restores the incentive to work rather to remain on benefits, restores fairness to those who work hard and pay into the system in the process, and invests in a welfare system that promotes work as the best route of helping people to an independent life beyond the state.’’