Lee Anderson

Andi66

https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/news/reform%E2%80%99s-lee-anderson-lets-slip-his-contempt-for-claimants

MissMarple

Not surprised, I'm afraid. It perfectly fits their narrative. For anything that is going wrong in the country, blame the immigrants, the poor, the disabled etc. Anyone but the billionaires hoarding all the wealth and controlling politicians and the media. Honestly, it's sickening.

michael57

I will not get into an argument about this but like some of the posts about members of various parties on scope perhaps it was said in jest we can't take the moral high ground when some here are just as guilty of it

Anhedonia

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1099498#Comment_1099498

I would say the difference between people joking on here and his 'jokes' is that he is an MP and also Reform's spokesman on welfare.

And even if this specific comment was said 'in jest', when paired with his official statements it highlights that it aligns with his views on claimants:

“It’s become fashionable now to have mental health problems” 
“It’s become fashionable now to have mental health problems, to have your own counsellor, to go for therapy, to have anxiety attacks, to get down to the local benefit centre and sign on for PIP or ESA.

“reward our workers, not the shirkers”

“Benefits should be a safety net, not a career option. Work should always pay more than benefits, which is why Reform UK will overhaul our benefits system and reward our workers, not the shirkers.”

Chris75_

I don't agree with the 'shirkers' rhetoric, but work should always pay more that living on state benefits.

Anhedonia

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1099543#Comment_1099543

And, although the media like to claim otherwise, it does. The rhetoric that it doesn't is only done to antagonise and divide people. Actual calculations prove that income is higher when working.

Chris75_

Looking at the eye watering rents in the part of London I once lived, are you sure it does?

The minimum wage has certainly increased in the last few years, but 15 years ago, coming from a relatively decent wage to benefits, I was no worse off than working full time. That may be dated by now, I don't know.

MissMarple

I don't know how it worked 15 years ago for rent @Chris75_ In the area where I live, the current limit on the housing element of Universal Credit wouldn't cover full private rent, no matter how small and basic the place you rent.

I have a feeling that we'll end up with a reform of the benefit system where money is taken off the disabled and those unable to work, while "the workers" won't see any increase in their quality of life.