Poverty is now a lifestyle choice

Apparently there are millions of people milking it at taxpayers' expense, apparently they need more incentive to find a job, apparently there are lots of jobs waiting for people if only they weren't so lazy... and the best way to get them into these non-existant jobs is to ensure that they are plunged into serious poverty.

This is from our glorious chancellor who as we are aware has not had the advantages of privilege, who knows what it is like not to be able to afford food, who has been homeless:

But Mr Osborne told BBC political editor Nick Robinson that those making a "lifestyle choice to just sit on out-of-work benefits" would be affected. 

Mr Osborne said: "We are going to reform out-of-work benefits so there's a strong incentive for people who can work get work... 

"People who think that it's a lifestyle choice just to stay on out-of-work benefits... that lifestyle choice is going to come to an end."

While I'm sure there are a few people who have made this type of lifestyle choice for a short period, the vast majority of people on benefits want to work or are unable to work and may either need help getting and keeping a job or may need long term support from society.

There are also a few people who have lost the plot when it comes to work and do need help with motivation. I'm sure a key part of the lack of motivation is a lack of meaning and purpose. I'm just not sure that poverty is the kindest way to provide someone with purpose...


There is also the benefits trap to consider and there  is a real need to find a way to allow people to increase their income without losing benefits - certainly at the lower levels of income. Osborne seems to want to tackle the benefits trap by removing benefits - possibly the harshest way possible. To do so when jobs are scarce is even more harsh.

It is worth remembering that poverty is a key feminist issue, poverty affects women far more than men.

Increasing the gap between rich and poor has always been the Tory ideal.