Cameron's welfare reforms could include regional benefits
Although not included in his speech today, the Prime Minister does appear to be considering introducing regional benefits, so that people in one part of the country received more than those in others.
The idea was included in an early draft of the speech - presented as a "question" to be asked rather than a proposal - but cut out of the final version, Downing Street says.
We can only guess how such an idea might work in practice, but it would presumably mean that benefits were higher in wealthier parts of the country such as the south east, where the cost of living is also generally higher, and lower in the North and Midlands.
The idea is in keeping with proposals for local public sector pay deals which the Government is looking at, although no decision has been made on whether to press ahead with that policy.
It's worth remembering the Labour's policy, as set out by Birmingham MP Liam Byrne, the Shadow Work & Pensions Secretary, is to introduce regional caps on benefits.
One comment that was included in Mr Cameron's speech and which struck me as significant, although it was almost a throwaway line at the end, was when he said there were further questions to be asked such as "if it's right that we continue to pay the vast majority of welfare benefits in cash, rather than in benefits in kind, like free school meals."
Again, what exactly he was driving at is not immediately apparent but this sounds like it could mean giving people food vouchers instead of cash? Or maybe providing them with meals directly? No doubt Mr Cameron's thinking will become clearer over time.
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I have little time for CONs and LIBDUMS coalitions. I lost my job because in 2010 I pointed out widespread fruad and corruption within the schools maintenance service where companies like DODD group were charging for repairs that were not needed. the Council Dept Urban Design (now Acivico) put extra chatge on top for their management fee. I also found they failed to actually carry out statutory tests but took the money every year. I also highlighted the exposure of several children to asbestos (yes I have documents to prove all of this) but I lost my job and after working for 26 years being unemployed for 1 year finding a job with the council then losing it for obeying the law I could not get any assistance at all. how was that fair, when a person who has never worked gets benefit without question. the reforms are a joke playing on people fears dividing the people thats how the cons win.