Just reflecting on what Michael Joseph Savage expected from social security bearing in mind the new benefits were created only 30 years after the first old age pension which was strictly administrated to exclude people who were not 'of good moral character'.
Do you think he expected benefits to support around a quarter of all children because their fathers couldn't or wouldn't?
That benefits would support criminals caught in the revolving door between prison and the community?
That benefits would support people who believe paid work and consumerism are capitalist concepts to be avoided?
That benefits would supports thousands of people who had caused their own incapacity to work through drug and alcohol abuse?
I can answer the last definitively. No. There were rules to prevent people in this category from qualifying.
So when Labour's shadow minister for Work and Pensions says that a new vision is needed over the one William Beveridge (UK equivalent to MJS) had how can anyone, including Labour supporters, disagree?
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1 comment:
Lindsay...yet another piece that should be in the Herald. Great stuff.
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