New Labour - Hitting the poor.

A MINISTER was yesterday accused of risking a "return to the workhouse" after saying the unemployed should have to seek work or lose their council homes.

Housing minister Caroline Flint said there was clear evidence that there are many long-term unemployed in social housing who may be able to find employment with the right support.

And she suggested that new council tenants who can work could have to sign "commitment contracts", agreeing to actively seek employment.

Now it is obvious that this is a knee jerk reaction to increasing costs of unemployment and the need to be seen to be doing something. Quite what Labour would do to unemployed who they claim are not looking for work and who are not in council housing is not made clear?

Meanwhile we now have a state that is happy to support moslem polygamy where benefits will be paid to second, third and even forth wives - despite that being illegal for non moslems to have a second wife(or more) here in the UK - yet alone to be able to get benefits for them.

Now New Labour after making a pigs ear of the economy decide that the unemployed are the problem, rather than government waste or policy failures on their part.

Lets just hope that those who live in council housing realize the complete contempt that Labour has for their rights to a roof over their head and throw the worthless shower out at the next election.

David Orr, chief executive of the National Housing Federation, which represents England's housing associations, said: "Such a policy would be unfair and impossible to enforce.

"Many of the jobs open to people, especially at the lower skills end, are insecure or temporary. Also, people with health problems, such as mental health issues, may find there are periods when they cannot keep up their job."

In her speech to the Fabian Society in London, Ms Flint said: "Council and social housing must continue to support the most vulnerable in society, but it should also be a springboard to opportunity, not just a safety net.

**Oh and when New Labour starts to throw out the unemployed - no doubt to be replaced by some illegal migrant - we will have the stock comments from back bench arsehole Paul Flynn (Lab.) that homelessness is not a problem here in the UK.

Tags: new liebour, politics, Cool Britannia, unemployment, spin

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