David Darling #FBPE #3.5%

TUC's Paul Nowak calls out Conservative MP Luke Evans who criticised welfare payments. "A third of those who claim universal credit are in work" "And we are subsidising poor employers, many of whom are not small businesses, they're large businesses who can afford to pay more" "And we are subsidising them as taxpayers" My view: 36% of working Universal Crecit claimants worked more than 30 hours a week. Telling people to work harder is a hollow response when so many are already putting in substantial hours and still qualify for support. Why should taxpayers have to top up wages at hugely profitable companies that can afford to pay their staff more? The people stacking shelves, serving customers and keeping these businesses running help create that wealth. They deserve a fairer share of it. Universal Credit also helps with housing, children and other household needs. Politicians should challenge those business decisions with the same energy they direct at benefit claimants. When companies prioritise shareholder returns while the people generating those returns struggle to cover the basics, something is badly wrong with the system.