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THE statistics watchdog chided ministers for again distorting its figures yesterday over claims that more than 12,000 households had found work thanks to Tory attacks on welfare.
Trade unionists said the government had been caught “bang to rights” trying to make unsubstantiated claims.
The UK Statistics Authority (UKSA) found that while the figures for claimants moving into work and ceasing to receive housing benefit were accurate, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) had failed to give evidence that this was a direct result of the £500-a-week benefit cap.
As a proportion of GDP the total welfare bill is lower than it was 15 years ago. The claim that it is spiralling out of control is mythmaking, argues DIANE ABBOTT
DYLAN MURPHY reports that far from helping people back into work, the sanctions regime is inflicting unnecessary trauma on working-class families
Labour will find increases in the state pension age are unacceptable, just as cuts to the Winter Fuel Allowance, personal independence payments and universal credit are — it needs to change direction immediately, writes PCS general secretary FRAN HEATHCOTE