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Talking Britain down makes recovery harder
THE WELFARE state is a proud British invention. In the past, it provided a safety net to help the poorest and least fortunate avoid destitution. In the 21st century it provides dignity and opportunity, makes work pay and gives everyone the chance to thrive.
Changes will ensure that no one is left behind and everyone gets the individual support they need to get back to work.
These include raising the benefits for disabled people unable to do any work, whilst helping employers make the changes necessary to employ people with disabilities. More help will be available for those on incapacity benefits to get better and find appropriate work.
By raising tax credit payments, themselves an incentive to work, more children will be lifted out of poverty. There will be more help for workless parents, individual to their needs, to find work and keep it.
The Welfare Reform Bill, which the House of Commons approved last week, also introduces a new regime for workless drug addicts. Extra help will be given to them to get off drugs in return for their benefits.
Taxpayers' money must not end up in drug dealers' pockets. Those who have been unemployed for two years will be expected to undertake work-related activity in return for their benefits.
Especially at this difficult time, no one who can work should get too far from the labour market, for fear that they find it more difficult to settle into employment when the opportunity comes.
And opportunities will come. Last week at the New Mills Business Network I was impressed with the positive outlook of two dozen High Peak companies. They were planning for the future. They were thinking about up-skilling their workforce.
And they were aghast at the confidence-sapping attitude of some parts of our media, constantly talking down Britain and so making life harder for everyone.
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Weather for Buxton
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: -1 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light snow
Temperature: -2 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South east
