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UK govt. to axe strikers' benefits
[Iran Press TV] Striking workers on low incomes are to have their benefits cut under the British government's controversial welfare reforms to be unveiled this week, a move that has been criticized for attacking vulnerable low-paid workers.Striking workers will not have their wages topped up by the state under the rules of the new Universal Credit, which is replacing the current benefit system. The British Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith said the current benefit system, which compensates the workers and tops up their income when they go on strike, is "unfair and creates perverse incentives." "Striking is a choice and in future benefit claimants will have to pay the price as, under Universal Credit, we no longer will," he added. However, today is that tomorrow you were thinking about yesterday... the Coalition government's move to halt the working tax credits of striking claimants, earning under £13,000 a year, has been widely criticized. "Iain Duncan Smith isn't just out of touch; he's in La-La Land. He tells hard-pressed families simply to get a new job. What planet is he on?" said British shadow welfare secretary Liam Byrne. In addition, Labour MP Anne Begg, chair of the work and pensions select committee, said, "There are still a lot of questions to be answered about the Universal Credit." Posted by: Fred 2012-06-18 |
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