Lee Anderson offers ‘simple’ solution to Britain’s benefits crisis as Labour unveils plan to slash bill
Reform’s Lee Anderson has sparked controversy by calling for benefits to be stopped for those who “don’t contribute towards society”.
Speaking on GB News, the outspoken MP said that while genuine sick and disabled people deserve support, there are “far too many people in this country swinging their load”.
His comments come as Labour unveils new plans to reform the benefits system, including measures to strip payments from young people who refuse to work or train.
Anderson cited examples from his Indian friends who “cannot believe” the amount of money given in UK benefits.
“If you don’t go to work, if you don’t contribute towards society and be a good citizen, then we will stop your money. Simple as that,” Lee declared.
He emphasised that support should be maintained for “genuine sick people, disabled people”.
The MP referenced his friend Matthew, “an Indian chap” who runs property in Scotland, who expressed disbelief at UK benefit recipients.
“People are staying at home and not paying into the system, they’re getting money, going out on holiday, they’ve got cars – it’s unbelievable,” Anderson quoted his friend as saying.
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Labour’s Employment Minister Alison McGovern has revealed that their new policy targeting 18-21 year olds who refuse to work or train is largely a continuation of existing rules.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, McGovern explained: “People can have benefit taken away from them … it happens now and the existing process is that the decision is made by the person referring on to the job centre and there is an appeal process.”
She added that while most young people take up support when offered, “there are rules in the system” for those who don’t comply.
The minister criticised the Conservative government for having “completely failed in its responsibility to actually help young people”.
Taxpayers will shell out £70.5 billion on sickness benefits this financial year, with projections showing this will rise to £89.8 billion by 2028/29.
Currently, almost 1.5 million people across the UK are unemployed, with economic inactivity soaring to more than nine million.
A record 2.8 million people are out of work due to long-term sickness – a major driver of the rise in joblessness since the pandemic.
The government is set to unveil a £240 million plan to tackle unemployment and economic inactivity.
Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Helen Whately criticised Labour for not matching the Conservatives’ promised £12 billion in welfare savings.