Jobless don't use benefits for gambling and booze, claims Labour's Lucy Powell
Education Secretary Lucy Powell denied jobless benefit recipients spend their money on drink or gambling, drawing criticism from the Conservatives.Summary
Education Secretary Lucy Powell came under fire after denying that benefits claimants spend their handouts on alcohol or gambling. She stated the vast majority use their Universal Credit for essentials like rent and bills, saying "the evidence isn't there" that recipients spend on luxuries. Her comments came after Labour dismissed as "unworkable" the Conservatives' proposal to cut Universal Credit for the long-term jobless and replace cash with pre-loaded cards restricting spending on cigarettes, alcohol, and gambling. A Tory spokesman accused Labour of failing to propose welfare reforms of its own, while Tory work and pensions spokesman Helen Whately argued that restricting benefits is not "patronising" given that hard-working taxpayers must forgo luxuries themselves. Kemi Badenoch announced plans to cut benefits by 30% for the jobless who have paid little in taxes, with recipients receiving a "Back To Work" card instead of cash.
(Source：Mail Online)