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| Tories 'can fight poverty best' | Tories 'can fight poverty best' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The Conservatives are now "best-placed to fight poverty in our country" and Labour's "big government" has failed, Tory leader David Cameron has said. | The Conservatives are now "best-placed to fight poverty in our country" and Labour's "big government" has failed, Tory leader David Cameron has said. |
| In a speech in London, he said the "rapid expansion" of the state under Labour had not reduced inequality. | In a speech in London, he said the "rapid expansion" of the state under Labour had not reduced inequality. |
| Massive spending on health and welfare had produced only "a measure of success in lifting those just below the poverty line to just above it", he said. | Massive spending on health and welfare had produced only "a measure of success in lifting those just below the poverty line to just above it", he said. |
| Labour's Yvette Cooper said it marked a "return to the Thatcherite approach". | Labour's Yvette Cooper said it marked a "return to the Thatcherite approach". |
| Delivering the annual Hugo Young lecture, Mr Cameron argued for less state intervention and a bigger role for voluntary bodies. | |
| He said the "big government" approach made people dependent on the state and trapped them in poverty. | |
| Far too many of the people I see in my constituency surgery are, thanks to the state, financially better off if they do the wrong thing David Cameron | Far too many of the people I see in my constituency surgery are, thanks to the state, financially better off if they do the wrong thing David Cameron |
| He said its "moral failure" was to create a system where it paid not to work and which penalised those who had worked and saved by forcing them to sell their home for residential care. | He said its "moral failure" was to create a system where it paid not to work and which penalised those who had worked and saved by forcing them to sell their home for residential care. |
| Huge welfare spending since 1997 had not reduced inequality, youth unemployment or social mobility and the state had become "broadly ineffective", he said. | Huge welfare spending since 1997 had not reduced inequality, youth unemployment or social mobility and the state had become "broadly ineffective", he said. |
| Society 'atomised' | Society 'atomised' |
| He said the "harm" done by means-tested benefits included lowering incentives to work. | He said the "harm" done by means-tested benefits included lowering incentives to work. |
| "Far too many of the people I see in my constituency surgery are, thanks to the state, financially better off if they do the wrong thing than if they do the right thing," Mr Cameron said. | "Far too many of the people I see in my constituency surgery are, thanks to the state, financially better off if they do the wrong thing than if they do the right thing," Mr Cameron said. |
| He argued that the government's methods to help the poor had caused an "atomisation" of society, breaking down natural bonds of duty and responsibility and replacing them with a reliance on the state. | He argued that the government's methods to help the poor had caused an "atomisation" of society, breaking down natural bonds of duty and responsibility and replacing them with a reliance on the state. |
| And he repeated pledges to "end the couple penalty in the tax credits system" by increasing them for couples who stayed together. | And he repeated pledges to "end the couple penalty in the tax credits system" by increasing them for couples who stayed together. |
| Mr Cameron's speech is well worth studying for anyone who wants to understand what a future Conservative government might do Nick RobinsonBBC political editor Read Nick's thoughts in full | |
| He said he did not want the state to withdraw from society - but wanted to use it to "remake society" by supporting activists and encouraging more people to get involved in improving their communities. | He said he did not want the state to withdraw from society - but wanted to use it to "remake society" by supporting activists and encouraging more people to get involved in improving their communities. |
| He said he shared Labour's "aspiration" of wanting to abolish child poverty by 2020 but also wanted to deal with the gap between the "bottom and the middle" of society. | He said he shared Labour's "aspiration" of wanting to abolish child poverty by 2020 but also wanted to deal with the gap between the "bottom and the middle" of society. |
| Mr Cameron announced he would nominate Debbie Scott, who runs Tomorrow's People - a charity which helps unemployed youngsters without qualifications or skills into work - for a peerage to join the Conservative team in the House of Lords. | Mr Cameron announced he would nominate Debbie Scott, who runs Tomorrow's People - a charity which helps unemployed youngsters without qualifications or skills into work - for a peerage to join the Conservative team in the House of Lords. |
| For Labour, Work and Pensions Secretary Yvette Cooper said: "David Cameron is calling for the state to withdraw, leaving people to fend for themselves and charities and community groups to pick up the pieces. | For Labour, Work and Pensions Secretary Yvette Cooper said: "David Cameron is calling for the state to withdraw, leaving people to fend for themselves and charities and community groups to pick up the pieces. |
| "This is a return to Thatcherism, or even 19th century liberalism - cutting back on government action on poverty, yet still backing tax cuts for the wealthiest estates." | "This is a return to Thatcherism, or even 19th century liberalism - cutting back on government action on poverty, yet still backing tax cuts for the wealthiest estates." |
| At a separate event with business leaders Chancellor Alistair Darling said the government could not "walk away" from its responsibility to help. | At a separate event with business leaders Chancellor Alistair Darling said the government could not "walk away" from its responsibility to help. |
| He said he would be unveiling his pre-Budget report in December and it would show government had a major role to play. | He said he would be unveiling his pre-Budget report in December and it would show government had a major role to play. |
| Liberal Democrat spokesman Steve Webb said it was all part of trying to "rebrand" the Conservative Party and change their "nasty party" image. | |
| "This is really trying to be the cuddly party but when in power, the Conservatives saw child poverty double," he said. |