Benefit Britain
ANDY Burnham has vowed his government will have a “laser-like focus” on driving economic growth.
So far, the only growth he seems to have achieved is in benefit spending and national debt. One is fuelling the other.
Andy Burnham has vowed his government will have a ‘laser-like focus’ on driving economic growth Credit: AP
John Healey must show voters he is not afraid to make the tough choices to put Britain back on a firm economic footing Credit: Getty
Last month alone, £30billion was spent on welfare payments — £2billion more than in July the previous year.
The spiralling bill meant Britain was forced to borrow an extra £1.8billion, pushing the nation’s debt mountain close to a staggering £3trillion.
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It leaves the Chancellor with a simple choice in his autumn Budget — squeeze runaway welfare spending or watch Britain sink even deeper into the red.
John Healey must show voters he is not afraid to make the tough choices to put Britain back on a firm economic footing.
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Taking an axe to the bloated benefits bill will free up money, restore confidence and give businesses room to grow.
Britain cannot tax, borrow and spend its way to prosperity.
More free rides
HARD-WORKING taxpayers struggling to pay household bills should not feel like second-class citizens in their own country.
But many will be deeply aggrieved to learn they are subsidising free and discounted entry to tourist attractions for illegal migrants.
While most families face increased charges for a day out, asylum seekers arriving on small boats get special deals on football matches, cinema tickets and outdoor pools.
It’s hardly surprising that so many are queuing up on the beaches of Northern France to hitch a ride to Britain.
Those who work hard and pay into the system will feel it is yet another example of a two-tier system that punishes strivers.
Nobody wants to deny anyone access to rich British culture but if subsidised schemes are available, struggling Brits should be able to benefit too.
Compassion matters, but so does fairness.
The lounge tax
FANCY paying £272 a year just to watch the telly you already get for free?
That’s the jaw-dropping prospect faced by 4.3million households if ministers press ahead with plans to switch off Freeview.
Andy Burnham says he wants to give everyone some breathing space from the soaring cost of living.
But ending free-to-air terrestrial services would leave anyone without an internet connection unable to watch TV at all.
Half of pensioners say they could not afford to pay for broadband to continue watching their favourite programmes.
Without a genuinely free alternative, it would amount to a tax on living rooms for Britain’s poorest families.
The PM should dump this mean-spirited idea fast.
