Liz Kendall responds to the trail of the Chancellor’s speech

Liz Kendall MP, Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, responding to the trail of the Chancellor’s speech:

“Labour believes in responsibility: that those who can work, should look for work and take jobs when they are offered.

“But the Government also has a responsibility to create real opportunities and not write people off. This is something the Tories have utterly failed to deliver. We now have record numbers of people out of work due to long term sickness, which is costing taxpayers an extra £15bn a year just since the pandemic.

“In contrast, Labour has a serious plan to grow the economy, bring the benefits bill down and get Britain working. We will tackle the root causes of economic inactivity by driving down NHS waiting lists, reforming social security, making work pay, and supporting people into good jobs across every part of the country. Real opportunities matched by the responsibility to take them up – because that’s what fairness is all about.”