Ed Miliband might finally have found his flagship policy
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.If Ed Miliband was looking for a flagship policy that ticks all the right boxes, he might just have found one.
Tomorrow he will announce that a Labour Government would get tough on unemployed young adults lacking the skills to get a job. They would no longer be able to go straight on to the dole at the age of 18, stay on it or drift in and out of low-paid, low-skilled jobs.
The policy may help Labour to deflect Conservative charges that it is “soft on skivers”. It should also save money, showing that Labour can make painful cuts. It also points to the sort of “big idea” Labour has been lacking – restoring the principle of Sir William Beveridge, architect of the post-war welfare state, that state support in hard times should be based on what people have paid in (through national insurance).
This concept of social insurance has since been eroded by both Tory and Labour governments in an unofficial alliance. The Tories preferred means-testing to control spending while Labour regarded the contributory principle as too exclusive, opting for costly universal benefits.
Mr Miliband has taken a big step in the right direction. But in any competition to cut welfare, the Tories will always trump him.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments