Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has claimed that the Labour government is pursuing a “moral agenda” in its approach to welfare reform.
It is a claim that doesn’t stand up to scrutiny — and the refusal to abolish the two-child limit on means-tested benefits proves it.
This month, donations through Ko-fi helped keep Vox Political going — and I’ve just posted a quick update there about what’s next.
I’m working on a new investigation, a reissued book collection (free to £20+ donors), and plenty of videos to ruffle a few feathers.
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This deeply unpopular policy, which restricts benefit entitlement to the first two children in a family, has been widely criticised for driving child poverty and disproportionately harming women and ethnic minorities.
If Labour had a moral agenda, scrapping it would have been one of the first orders of business.
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Instead, ministers have fallen back on vague talk of “fiscal responsibility” and “tough choices” — hardly the language of morality, and certainly not the language of compassion.
And if Labour won’t act morally when it comes to supporting children in poverty, why should we believe that its other welfare decisions are rooted in ethics either?
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That brings us to Kendall’s reported plans to restrict eligibility for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), a vital benefit for disabled people.
With the two-child cap decision as a precedent, it’s hard to argue that such a move would be motivated by moral conviction.
On the contrary, it looks increasingly like a continuation of the cost-cutting mindset that defined the Conservative era — dressed up in more palatable language.
This month, donations through Ko-fi helped keep Vox Political going — and I’ve just posted a quick update there about what’s next.
I’m working on a new investigation, a reissued book collection (free to £20+ donors), and plenty of videos to ruffle a few feathers.
Take a look behind the scenes: https://ko-fi.com/voxpolitical
And if you’ve already chipped in — thank you. You’re making this work possible.
If Labour is unwilling to act according to a moral framework when the opportunity arises, then talk of a “moral agenda” is just that: talk.
The public deserves better than rhetoric that collapses the moment policy is tested against it.
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If you want to support this site
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The first collection, Strong Words and Hard Times,
is still available in either print or eBook format here:
If Labour has no moral agenda on the two-child cap, what’s guiding its welfare cuts?
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has claimed that the Labour government is pursuing a “moral agenda” in its approach to welfare reform.
It is a claim that doesn’t stand up to scrutiny — and the refusal to abolish the two-child limit on means-tested benefits proves it.
This month, donations through Ko-fi helped keep Vox Political going — and I’ve just posted a quick update there about what’s next.
I’m working on a new investigation, a reissued book collection (free to £20+ donors), and plenty of videos to ruffle a few feathers.
Take a look behind the scenes: https://ko-fi.com/voxpolitical
And if you’ve already chipped in — thank you. You’re making this work possible.
This deeply unpopular policy, which restricts benefit entitlement to the first two children in a family, has been widely criticised for driving child poverty and disproportionately harming women and ethnic minorities.
If Labour had a moral agenda, scrapping it would have been one of the first orders of business.
Buy Cruel Britannia in print here. Buy the Cruel Britannia ebook here. Or just click on the image!
Instead, ministers have fallen back on vague talk of “fiscal responsibility” and “tough choices” — hardly the language of morality, and certainly not the language of compassion.
And if Labour won’t act morally when it comes to supporting children in poverty, why should we believe that its other welfare decisions are rooted in ethics either?
Get my free guide: “10 Political Lies You Were Sold This Decade” — just subscribe to our email list here:
👉 https://voxpoliticalonline.com
That brings us to Kendall’s reported plans to restrict eligibility for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), a vital benefit for disabled people.
With the two-child cap decision as a precedent, it’s hard to argue that such a move would be motivated by moral conviction.
On the contrary, it looks increasingly like a continuation of the cost-cutting mindset that defined the Conservative era — dressed up in more palatable language.
This month, donations through Ko-fi helped keep Vox Political going — and I’ve just posted a quick update there about what’s next.
I’m working on a new investigation, a reissued book collection (free to £20+ donors), and plenty of videos to ruffle a few feathers.
Take a look behind the scenes: https://ko-fi.com/voxpolitical
And if you’ve already chipped in — thank you. You’re making this work possible.
If Labour is unwilling to act according to a moral framework when the opportunity arises, then talk of a “moral agenda” is just that: talk.
The public deserves better than rhetoric that collapses the moment policy is tested against it.
Vox Political needs your help!
If you want to support this site
(but don’t want to give your money to advertisers)
you can make a one-off donation here:
Be among the first to know what’s going on! Here are the ways to manage it:
1) Register with us by clicking on ‘Subscribe’ (bottom right of the home page). You can then receive notifications of every new article that is posted here.
2) Follow VP on Twitter @VoxPolitical
3) Like the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/VoxPolitical/
Join the Vox Political Facebook page.
4) You could even make Vox Political your homepage at http://voxpoliticalonline.com
5) Follow Vox Political writer Mike Sivier on BlueSky
6) Join the MeWe page at https://mewe.com/p-front/voxpolitical
7) Feel free to comment!
And do share with your family and friends – so they don’t miss out!
If you have appreciated this article, don’t forget to share it using the buttons at the bottom of this page. Politics is about everybody – so let’s try to get everybody involved!
Buy Vox Political books so we can continue
fighting for the facts.
Cruel Britannia is available
in either print or eBook format here:
The Livingstone Presumption is available
in either print or eBook format here:
Health Warning: Government! is now available
in either print or eBook format here:
The first collection, Strong Words and Hard Times,
is still available in either print or eBook format here:
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