Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Social Mobility no better under Labour

Commenting on the report released yesterday [Monday] by the think tank Reform which finds that the UK welfare and public service system reinforces class divisions by alienating the poorest in society, Liberal Democrat Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, Danny Alexander said:

“The Government has had ten years to tackle the appallingly low levels of social mobility in Britain but has barely made an impression. Britain is more unequal now than when Labour came to power. The 10p tax rate doubling is just one example of a policy that makes matters worse, not better.

“It is a disgrace that in Britain a person’s chances in life are more likely to be determined by their background than anywhere else in Europe.

“Labour is more interested in creating giant, centralised systems that take power away from people than in empowering them to make the best of their lives.

“The reality is that the Government’s benefit system gives with one hand and takes with the other. It is creating dependency rather than opportunity.”

No comments: