Benefits system has given people 'false sense of security' - Ed Miliband

Published by 24publishing for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Central Government, Communities, Local Government

Labour leader Ed Miliband says he is not against a household benefit cap and a fairer allocations system for social housing.

Speaking ahead of his speech today in London, Mr Miliband told the BBC's Today programme that the benefits system had to change so that it didn't give people a "false sense of security", and said that although he isn't against the principal of a household benefits cap, he says the Coalition's ignores higher living costs in different parts of the country.

A £26,000 a year household benefit cap – which is included in the Government’s Welfare Reform Bill – is due to come into force in 2013.

Speaking about the benefits system, Mr Miliband said: "I think the most important thing is that we restore a greater sense of responsibility to the system. For example, it means that anybody who can work should work."

He said that in a minority of cases he saw people on benefits that actually could be working but have been given a "false sense of security by the benefits system".

"I do think that needs to change," he said.

He said he was not against the principal of a household benefits cap, but emphasised that it must be done in an "appropriate way" that recognises higher living costs in some parts of the country.

He said: "I'm not against a cap. The problem with the Government's cap is that they're not doing it on a different basis in different parts of the country. If you live in central London where housing costs are much higher you're currently being faced with the same cap as if you live in Hertfordshire where actually living costs are lower. It's got to be done in an appropriate way." 

He also showed support for a "fairer" housing allocations system that rewards people that contribute to their community. He said people that work, volunteer or contribute to society should get extra points.

He said: "Councils around the country are starting to do this and I want more of them to do it."