MP says those on benefits should do 'socially responsible work'

The MP for New Forest West said his experience of working on the work and pensions select committee reinforced his “prejudice that the principal problem that we face is a culture of welfare dependency”. 

Sir Desmond admitted those on benefits are not living a “cushy lifestyle” but that recipients “learn to get by, particularly so when they are relieved of the inconvenience of going out to work for a living”.

Writing in his blog, the MP said: “The economically inactive population of working age now stands at a record 10 million. 

“The bill for sickness benefits is currently running at £65 billion annually, and is predicted to rise to £100 billion by 2030. 

“This has to be set against a background of several years with vacancies at record, or near-record, levels and enormous pressure from employers on government to ease immigration control in order to enable them to recruit from overseas. 

“Some 40 per cent of those claiming sickness benefits state that mental health issues are their reason for doing so.  

“Yet nothing could be better for mental health than the stimulation of work, with a consequent improvement in self-esteem.” 

Sir Desmond said he does not believe society can carry a growing cost of people who are not working. 

He added: “The most effective way to achieve this would be a return to Bentham’s policy of ‘less eligibility’: that life on benefits must be less eligible than the meanest form of independent existence, so as to discourage anyone from choosing to live on benefits. 

“How could we implement such a policy without cruelty and a return to the Victorian workhouse? 

“I think we need to ensure that, as far a possible, welfare rights have to be balanced with responsibilities. 

“We need a system of ‘workfare’ where benefits are paid in return for socially useful work. 

“This would be good for the self-esteem of many claimants with mental health problems and encourage them to take a further step towards paid employment.”