Labour’s Jim Murphy has described some long term unemployed people who survive on benefits as “slackers” who don’t want to work….
Labour’s Jim Murphy has described some long term unemployed people who survive on benefits as “slackers” who don’t want to work.
The claim came during a live TV debate where he once again confirmed Labour’s commitment to targetting people on welfare and benefits in an effort at reducing public spending.
Mr Murphy was responding to a question from the audience that had asked what areas the panel would cut in order to address the spiralling UK debt.
Murphy confirmed the plan to target benefit claimants and said “We can be much more ambitious about cutting the cost of welfare”.
He explained that he believed most people on benefits wanted to work but that “of course there are some slackers”.
The SNP’s Angus Robertson listed Trident, ID cards and The House of Lords as areas that could help to reduce public spending.
Murphy’s description of some long term claimants, many on incapacity benefit, as ‘slackers’ is sure to cause anger and concern amongst many vulnerable people. It follows recent proposals by Labour to cut benefits from any long term claimants after two years if they refuse to work in return for those benefits.
Mr Murphy is the Labour candidate for East Renfrewshire, one of Scotland’s most affluent constituencies.