A Cabinet minister came under fire on Thursday evening after she denied that benefits claimants spend their handouts on drink or gambling.
Education Secretary Lucy Powell claimed welfare recipients spend their ‘very little’ money on rent and paying household bills rather than luxuries.
She was put on the spot after Labour dismissed as ‘unworkable’ the Tories’ tough proposal to cut Universal Credit payments for the long-term jobless and give them pre-loaded cards rather than cash.
Told by GB News that people in Australia support a similar scheme – it bans claimants spending income support on cigarettes, alcohol and gambling – Ms Powell replied:
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