Thomas Bridge 30 September 2014

Pre-paid benefit card plan outlined by Iain Duncan Smith

Welfare claimants could receive benefits on a pre-paid card to curb spending on ‘destructive habits’, work and pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith has announced.

The Government was today accused of stigmatising claimants after announcing plans to block spending on alcohol, cigarettes or gambling.

Speaking at the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham, Smith said the measure would provide support for ‘families on the margins’.

‘I have long believed that where parents have fallen into a damaging spiral – drug or alcohol addiction, even problem debt, or more – we need to find ways to safeguard them – and more importantly, their families, their children, ensuring their basic needs are met,’ he said.

‘That means benefits paid should go to support the wellbeing of their families, not to feed their destructive habits.

‘I am testing prepaid cards, onto which we will make benefit payments, so that the money they receive is spent on the needs of the family – finally helping break the cycle of poverty for families on the margins, change we can be proud of.

‘In all of this, our undertaking is hardly a small task – indeed, the easy option would have been to paper over the problem opting instead for a sticking plaster or another patch-up job. Yet I believe the biggest mistake would be, in the pursuit of short-term gain, not to see this task through.’

Responding to the speech, chief executive of single parent’s charity Gingerline, Fiona Weir, warned the scheme ‘capitalises on and reinforces negative stereotypes of people who need support from benefits’.

‘Single parents, both in and out of work tell us they are struggling financially, but budgeting isn’t the problem: low wages, benefit cuts and rising costs of the essentials are,’ she told the Independent.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Systems Support Coordinator - Children's Services

Essex County Council
£25081.00 - £27653.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Systems Support Coordinator - Children's ServicesPermanent, Full Time£25,081 to £27,653 Per AnnumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

SEND Inclusion Partner

Essex County Council
£45276.0000 - £50307.0000 per annum
SEND Inclusion PartnerPermanent, Full Time£45,276 to £50,307 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Principal Transport Planner (Strategy)

North Northamptonshire Council
£46,731-£49,764
We are looking for an experienced professional to join North Northamptonshire Council as a Principal Transport Planner (Strategy). Sheerness House, 41 Meadow Road, Kettering moving to Haylock House, Kettering Parkway, Kettering NN15 6EY, United Kingdom
Recuriter: North Northamptonshire Council

Attendance and Admissions Officer

City Of Doncaster Council
Grade 6, point 6 to point 11 £22,435.63 – £24,294.06 (pay award pending (Actual)
The Rose Learning Trust is a successful medium sized trust based in Doncaster and North Lincolnshire. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council

Senior Carer and Support - Nights (Obelisk)

West Northamptonshire Council
£13.61ph
Obelisk House provides exceptional levels of support in residential and Dementia care. It is situated in a residential suburb in Northampton and it offers a wonderful living environment in which our residents can enjoy an enhanced quality of life. We ha Northampton
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council
Linkedin Banner