The Department for
Work and Pensions has admitted making up comments from supposed,
"benefit claimants" that appeared in a leaflet about sanctions.
The quotes were made up and the photos came from stock characters. They
were unreal.
In March this year Parliament's Work and Pensions Select Committee said
there was evidence that sanctions were geared towards punishing people for
being unemployed and might not actually help them find work.
The MPs said there was evidence that the benefit cuts for unemployed people
caused more problems than they solved and might be "purely
punitive".
This has caused outrage and there is now a petition calling for the
resignation of the Secretary for Sate Iain Duncan Smith.
A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said: “The case studies were
used for illustrative purposes to help people understand how the benefit
system works. They’re based on conversations our staff have had with
claimants. They have now been removed to avoid confusion.”
I think that is Civil Servant double speak for saying “we got it wrong
folks!” When Governments of all colours produce dodgy documents and
fabricated leaflets then it is little wonder that there is a disconnection
between people and politicians. It should always be the job of politicians
to put this right and not defend it.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/iain-duncan-smith-faces-calls-to-quit-over-fake-quotes-scandal-10466068.html
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