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Welfare reform offers new hope, says David Cameron Welfare reform offers new hope, says David Cameron
(35 minutes 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.
'Fair system''Fair system'
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".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".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.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.
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".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".
The religion think tank Theos said the debate on benefits needed to look beyond individual policies and consider the fundamental moral question of what "welfare is for".
Publishing a collection of essays by public figures on the subject, it said there was a general consensus that individuals had a responsibility to each other, not just themselves.
But it said people need to be able to "connect what they put in to what they get out" of the welfare state and this link "has been lost over recent decades".