IDS Compares Being On Benefits to Slavery

Iain Duncan Smith has suggested being on benefits is a form of slavery and he is like abolitionist William Wilberforce through his introduction of welfare reforms. He said his benefit changes were about a “journey from dependence to independence” and that that was part of the Conservatives “historic mission – just look at Wilberforce and Shaftesbury.” He talks repeatedly about how the reforms will set people “free” from their old lives in Britain’s welfare ghettos and twice describes his policies as a “historic” break from the old ways. He talks about those on benefits being “trapped in their clutches” and said his reforms would put individuals back in control of their own lives. Read more on the Independent website.