London - Single-parent and disabled groups have criticised the British government's plans to reform the welfare system and end the "something for nothing culture", saying single parents and the disabled should not be pressurised into jobs, writes Rachel Donnelly.
Publishing the Welfare Reform Bill yesterday, the government sent a powerful message to welfare claimants that the days of an automatic right to benefits must come to an end. With the cost of the welfare system at about £98 billion a year, the Social Security Secretary, Mr Alistair Darling, said the "harsh but justifiable" reforms would not force single parents and the disabled into work but those who were able to work should work.