This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-35855616

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Duncan Smith attacks 'desperate' focus on cuts Duncan Smith warns government risks 'dividing' society
(35 minutes later)
Iain Duncan Smith has criticised the government's "desperate search for savings" in his first interview since resigning as work and pensions secretary. Iain Duncan Smith has warned the government risks dividing society in his first interview since resigning as work and pensions secretary.
Mr Duncan Smith said the Conservatives were in danger of not being a "one-nation party" standing up for everyone. He attacked the "desperate search for savings" focused on welfare that went to people who "don't vote for us".
He said his "painful" decision to resign had not been "not personal" against Chancellor George Osborne. And he told Andrew Marr his "painful" decision to resign was "not personal" against Chancellor George Osborne.
But he said he felt he had become "semi-detached" from government. Climate Change Secretary Amber Rudd said she was "perplexed" at Mr Duncan Smith's "bombshell" resignation.
On Friday, Mr Duncan Smith said he was quitting as work and pensions secretary in protest at planned disability benefits cuts.On Friday, Mr Duncan Smith said he was quitting as work and pensions secretary in protest at planned disability benefits cuts.
In his response to Mr Duncan Smith, Prime Minister David Cameron said the reforms had been "collectively agreed" and announced by the Department for Work and Pensions. Prime Minister David Cameron said he had been "puzzled and disappointed" by the resignation, arguing that those reforms had been "collectively agreed" and announced by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
On BBC's Andrew Marr programme on Sunday, Mr Duncan Smith said he had supported a consultation on the changes but had come under "massive pressure" to deliver the savings ahead of last week's Budget. 'Arbitrary'
Speaking on the BBC on Sunday, Mr Duncan Smith said he had supported a consultation on the changes but had come under "massive pressure" to deliver the savings ahead of last week's Budget.
The way the cuts were presented in the Budget had been "deeply unfair", he said, because they were "juxtaposed" with tax cuts for the wealthy.The way the cuts were presented in the Budget had been "deeply unfair", he said, because they were "juxtaposed" with tax cuts for the wealthy.
He criticised the "arbitrary" decision to lower the welfare cap after the general election and suggested the government was in danger of losing "the balance of the generations", expressing his "deep concern" at a "very narrow attack on working-age benefits" while also protecting pensioner benefits.He criticised the "arbitrary" decision to lower the welfare cap after the general election and suggested the government was in danger of losing "the balance of the generations", expressing his "deep concern" at a "very narrow attack on working-age benefits" while also protecting pensioner benefits.
Mr Duncan Smith said the Conservatives had to return to being a party "that cares about even those who do not vote for us". Mr Duncan Smith, who said he felt he had become "semi-detached" from government. said the Conservatives had to return to being a party "that cares about even those who do not vote for us".
His resignation has divided his former ministerial team at the Department for Work and Pensions. He said he cared "passionately" about "people who don't get the choices my children get" and "bringing people back in to arena where we play daily but they do not".
Ministers divided
He suggested the government was in "danger of drifting in a direction that divides society rather than unites it, and that, I think, is unfair".
Mr Duncan Smith's resignation has divided his former ministerial team at the DWP.
Pensions minister Baroness Ros Altmann attacked his tenure, describing him as "exceptionally difficult" to work for, and accused him of using his resignation "to do maximum damage to the party leadership" in order to support the campaign to leave the EU.Pensions minister Baroness Ros Altmann attacked his tenure, describing him as "exceptionally difficult" to work for, and accused him of using his resignation "to do maximum damage to the party leadership" in order to support the campaign to leave the EU.
But her fellow DWP minister Shailesh Vara said she was "surprised" at Baroness Altmann's comments, saying: "Ros's recollection does not accord with mine and I'm sorry that this has all happened."But her fellow DWP minister Shailesh Vara said she was "surprised" at Baroness Altmann's comments, saying: "Ros's recollection does not accord with mine and I'm sorry that this has all happened."
Disabilities minister Justin Tomlinson said the former secretary of state had "always conducted himself in a professional, dedicated and determined manner" and employment minister Priti Patel told BBC Radio 5 Live it had been a "privilege" to work for him. Disabilities minister Justin Tomlinson said the former secretary of state had "always conducted himself in a professional, dedicated and determined manner", while employment minister Priti Patel told BBC Radio 5 live it had been a "privilege" to work for him.
What is your reaction? Are you affected by the issues raised? Share your thoughts with us - email haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukWhat is your reaction? Are you affected by the issues raised? Share your thoughts with us - email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
Or use the form belowOr use the form below