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Welfare reform offers new hope, says David Cameron Welfare reform offers new hope, says David Cameron
(about 2 hours later)
The prime minister has rejected a claim by Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichols that government welfare reform is leaving people in "destitution".The prime minister has rejected a claim by Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichols that government welfare reform is leaving people in "destitution".
David Cameron said he respected his view but disagreed with it "deeply", in an article for the Daily Telegraph.David Cameron said he respected his view but disagreed with it "deeply", in an article for the Daily Telegraph.
Social reform was giving "new hope and new responsibility" to people, and was part of his "moral mission", he wrote.Social reform was giving "new hope and new responsibility" to people, and was part of his "moral mission", he wrote.
The leader of the Catholic Church in England and Wales described the changes as a "disgrace" last weekend.The leader of the Catholic Church in England and Wales described the changes as a "disgrace" last weekend.
Archbishop Nichols, who will be created a cardinal on Saturday, told the same newspaper the welfare state was growing increasingly punitive amid the biggest shake-up of the system for decades.Archbishop Nichols, who will be created a cardinal on Saturday, told the same newspaper the welfare state was growing increasingly punitive amid the biggest shake-up of the system for decades.
The government's welfare reforms include:The government's welfare reforms include:
Separately, the government has confirmed details of a further restriction on European migrants who apply for benefits in the UK.Separately, the government has confirmed details of a further restriction on European migrants who apply for benefits in the UK.
From 1 March, they will have to demonstrate that they are earning at least £149 a week before they can access a range of benefits.From 1 March, they will have to demonstrate that they are earning at least £149 a week before they can access a range of benefits.
'Simply not true''Simply not true'
Mr Cameron wrote in the Telegraph the government's economic plan for Britain was "about doing what is right".Mr Cameron wrote in the Telegraph the government's economic plan for Britain was "about doing what is right".
"Nowhere is that more true than in welfare. For me the moral case for welfare reform is every bit as important as making the numbers add up," he said."Nowhere is that more true than in welfare. For me the moral case for welfare reform is every bit as important as making the numbers add up," he said.
He argued the archbishop's criticism that the "safety net" for the poorest families was being "torn apart" was "simply not true", saying reform was right in principle and in practice.He argued the archbishop's criticism that the "safety net" for the poorest families was being "torn apart" was "simply not true", saying reform was right in principle and in practice.
Mr Cameron said the journey to turning the country's economic fate around required difficult decisions.Mr Cameron said the journey to turning the country's economic fate around required difficult decisions.
"But our welfare reforms go beyond that alone - they are about giving new purpose, new opportunity, new hope - and yes, new responsibility to people who had previously been written off with no chance," he added."But our welfare reforms go beyond that alone - they are about giving new purpose, new opportunity, new hope - and yes, new responsibility to people who had previously been written off with no chance," he added.
He went on: "Seeing these reforms through is at the heart of our long-term economic plan - and it is at the heart, too, of our social and moral mission in politics today."He went on: "Seeing these reforms through is at the heart of our long-term economic plan - and it is at the heart, too, of our social and moral mission in politics today."
Archbishop Nichols is the most senior Roman Catholic cleric in England and Wales and is one of 19 new cardinals from around the world who will be appointed by Pope Francis at the Vatican on Saturday.Archbishop Nichols is the most senior Roman Catholic cleric in England and Wales and is one of 19 new cardinals from around the world who will be appointed by Pope Francis at the Vatican on Saturday.
The Telegraph said the archbishop responded by saying he had been "inundated" with messages from people who shared his concerns.
"My concern is to echo the voices that come to me of the circumstances today in which people are left without any support for weeks on end, are hungry, are destitute," he told the newspaper.
"There must be something wrong with the administration of a system which has that effect on so many people's lives."
'Fair system''Fair system'
More recently the focus has been on changes to the benefits EU jobseekers can claim - and on Wednesday the work and pensions secretary confirmed plans - announced in November - that migrants will have to demonstrate they have earned around £150 a week for three months in order to qualify for "worker" status. He told the BBC Radio 4's Today on Tuesday that something was "seriously wrong" with a welfare system that allowed poorer members of society to remain "in a destitute situation".
Politicians were facing a "moral challenge", he suggested, in living up to "the principle that we have to regard and treat every single person with respect".
Among the latest in a series of measures curbing migrants' access to benefits, ministers announced on Wednesday that EU nationals will have to demonstrate they have earned £149 a week for three months in order to qualify for "worker" status.
The "worker" status opens the door to more generous benefit entitlements.The "worker" status opens the door to more generous benefit entitlements.
"These reforms will ensure we have a fair system - one which provides support for genuine workers and jobseekers, but does not allow people to come to our country and take advantage of our benefits system," said Iain Duncan Smith. Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith said the changes would ensure the system "provides support for genuine workers and jobseekers, but does not allow people to come to our country and take advantage of our benefits system".