Benefits state
BRITAIN’S Armed Forces are running out of ammo and manpower — but there’s cash coming out of our ears for the workshy.
Andy Burnham admitted as much when he told MPs he would not cut the bloated benefits bill to boost military spending. He insisted he would never be forced to choose between the two.
But it’s clear he already has — and that welfare is the hands-down winner.
At a time when our defence capabilities urgently need bolstering amid the mounting threat posed by Russia, Iran and others, we face the jaw-dropping reality that the number of people who claim state handouts for ADHD has almost doubled in the past three years to 100,000 — while the number of full-time soldiers has shrunk to just 82,000.
In addition, the 70,000 people claiming benefits for anxiety now outstrips the combined full-time personnel of the Royal Navy and the RAF.
Since Labour grabbed power, the total welfare bill has shot up by a staggering £20billion a year. It’s not so much Benefits Street as Benefits State.
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Those who are unable to work because of genuine disability deserve support.
But it’s right to ask why these numbers are suddenly rocketing at a time when shameless “sickfluencers” are teaching millions how to game the system.
If the PM is as keen as we think on turning the clock back six decades, he should heed the words of a Labour big beast from that period.
Denis Healey, who served as Defence Secretary and Chancellor, warned that national security must ALWAYS trump welfare, education and housing.
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Because without it, the entire country is reduced to a heap of cinders.
Ship has sailed
LABOUR’S much trumpeted “one in, one out” deal to return illegal migrants was exposed as a failing gimmick months ago.
About 1,400 have been swapped so far — that’s a drop in the Channel when 20,000 have made the crossing already this year, and 50 of those kicked out simply returned on the next boat.
Now France wants us to take asylum-seekers from across Europe in a replacement for the agreement, which expires next month. Ministers should accept this stunt is dead.
It’s time to sink it and launch a serious deterrent to stop asylum cheats coming here in the first place.
PM’s drill rap
IN his first words to the Commons as PM, Andy Burnham promised a “place first rather than party first” approach.
So why is he set to delay giving the go-ahead for gas drilling in the North Sea until after a crunch by-election next month?
Simple. He’s scared it will help Green Party leader Zack Polanski to storm to victory in Sir Keir Starmer’s old seat.
His bold new politics have been shelved so he can cynically drill for votes instead.