The last time there was a significant reduction in public spending on sickness benefits in Britain was in the middle years of the last Labour government. So Liz Kendall, the work and pensions secretary, deserves a fair hearing when she promises to “bring forward big reforms that help more people into work, protect the most vulnerable, and boost growth – while putting the benefits bill on a more sustainable footing”.
She shows some seriousness of purpose in tackling what is undoubtedly one of the great challenges facing governments of whichever party over the next few decades. Sir Iain Duncan Smith’s attempt to simplify the benefits system by introducing universal credit was undoubtedly sincere, but it was undermined by the deep cuts in welfare spending ordered by George Osborne – and which were never actually delivered.
