Watts: 'Goverment's policies just aren't working' (From St Helens Star)

Watts: 'Goverment's policies just aren't working'

6:00am Friday 29th June 2012 in News

MP DAVE Watts has slammed news that the number of homes in which no-one has a job is on the rise.

He says it’s clear evidence that the Government’s economic policy is not working.

The MP for St Helens North was appalled to learn that the number of households where all members of the household are unemployed has increased by 26,000, while the number of mothers in employment has fallen by 72,000.

Mr Watts said: “It is now clear that the Government’s economic policies are making it impossible for the companies operating the government’s Work Programme to get people back to work.

“It is also clear that many of the companies which are involved in the Work Programme will fail to meet their targets this year by up to 35 per cent, as indicated by the recent Audit Commission report, which will lead to some of the companies dropping out of the scheme altogether.”

He also claimed that tax credit changes will now mean that some families will be £728 better off on benefits, and childcare cuts will mean many mothers will be forced to give up work.

Mr Watts said: “The Government’s failed economic and benefits changes have resulted in record levels of unemployment, which has led to a £9 billion increase in benefit. This will increase our debt, which will in turn require higher rates of public borrowing.”

He believes that Government changes to universal credits will also mean that many families will be better off on benefits than in work.

“The Government’s policies are leading to people being forced out of work and onto benefits, and they are also increasing our levels of national debt,” he said.

He suggests the nation needs a different approach, which will encourage work through the benefits system and increase growth in the economy.

He said: “The Government needs to wake up and accept its policies are not working before they can cause even more damage to our economy and to the lives of many working people who are now finding it very difficult to make ends meet.”