[Margaret Pilkington]

Yes, but there are some who cannot see this.
It was a cynical ploy to widen Labours voting base. They believed that those who were dependent could be guaranteed to vote for them....they stifled aspiration and ambition and made it too easy to live off the backs of others.
The welfare state was never meant to do this, it was meant to be a helping hand, a safety net, not a life plan.
My dad fought for this country, but when he was made redundant at 58 he was on the scrap heap. He was ineligible for benefits because Ma earned ten bob over the threhold......he was advised to move out of the family home so that he would be able to claim.
He did not claim...he got a part time casual job...no security, but he worked rather than claim.