People struggling during the cost-of-living crisis should consider taking on more hours at work or moving to a better-paid job, a Government minister has said, provoking fury from many people.
Rachel Maclean, safeguarding minister in the Home Office, admitted the idea would not work for all households, but said the solution for some people could be to look for additional work.
The comments come against a backdrop of soaring inflation, rising energy bills and high prices at the petrol pumps.
Ms Maclean told Sky News: “I think what we need to focus on now is over the long-term.
“We do have these short-term pressures on us that we’re all aware of.
“But over the long-term we need to have a plan to grow the economy and make sure that people are able to protect themselves better, whether that is by taking on more hours or moving to a better-paid job.
“These are long-term actions but that is what we are focused on as a Government.”
Ms Maclean said she was not “suggesting for one moment” that such an option would work for everyone.
But she said those with extra capacity could visit job centres to apply for either more hours or better rewarded employment.
She added: “It may be right for some people, they may be able to access additional hours, but, of course, it is not going to work for people who are already in three jobs.
“That’s why we need to have the other measures, such as all the help we are putting into schools, the help with the local authorities … and that’s where we are going to target help to where it is most needed.”
These comments, at a time when people are in deep financial trouble, have been slammed:
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Good point?
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Or simply this?
Related: Lee Anderson bought a six-bedroom house months before telling food bank users to budget better
