Discuss - Economy Welfare Cap - Scrap the welfare cap

Should we scrap the welfare cap (a limit to the maximum someone can claim in benefits)?

Conservative A Conservative government would cut the maximum benefits that a household can claim from £26,000 to £23,000, according to party leader David Cameron, in order to fund three million new apprenticeships. The party would cap benefits "so no out-of-work household can claim more in benefits than the average family earns in work". Source: Conservative website https://www.conservatives.com/Plan/CapWelfareReduceImmigration.aspx

DUP DUP MP Nigel Dodds has previously stated that the DUP supports plans to put a cap on benefits payments. Source: BBC News

Labour "Labour will vote for a cap on welfare to control the costs of social security. However we will go further than this Tory-led Government by tackling the causes of rising social security spending; low pay, long-term unemployment and the inadequate supply of housing." - Rachel Reeves, Labour's Shadow Work & Pensions Secretary.

Liberal Democrat As part of the coalition with the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats introduced a benefits cap of £26,000. However, they called the original plans 'unfair', and made several changes before it came into force.. Source: http://www.libdems.org.uk/what_is_the_benefits_cap

Plaid Cymru Plaid Cymru's Jonathan Edwards MP has said, "The welfare cap is an ill-judged, immoral policy that Plaid Cymru MPs will unanimously oppose. “With Wales being hit disproportionately by the Coalition’s welfare reform programme, a vote for this cap is a vote for growing inequality and against social justice." Source: http://www.partyof.wales/news/2014/03/25/plaid-urges-first-minister-to-tell-welsh-labour-mps-oppose-welfare-cap/

Respect Party The Respect Party have pledged to reverse key welfare reform changes, which include the benefit cap. Source: Rotherham Respect Party

SNP SNP MSP Jamie Hepburn has previously stated that, "... plans to extend the child benefit cap will impact the wellbeing of children and hit ordinary families in the pocket – families with three children will suffer a cumulative loss of over £2,000 by 2016/17. At a time when many families are already struggling to make ends meet, taking more money out of family budgets is absolutely unthinkable." Source: http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2014/sep/families-lose-out-%C2%A32000-cap

UKIP The UKIP website states that the party supports a simplified, streamlined welfare system and a benefit cap. Source: http://www.ukip.org/policies_for_people

Comment on this topic