Nick Clegg today faced a revolt by grass-roots Liberal Democrats over the Coalition’s benefits system.
Party members are set to warn that it leaves many people suffering living standards below which “no one should be allowed to fall”. Delegates at the spring rally in York next month will vote on a motion about food poverty during the recent years of austerity.
They are expected to back the warning that the welfare “safety net” is being undermined by benefit cuts, payment delays and tougher sanctions, combined with rising food and energy prices. The motion states: “Large numbers of people are currently being insufficiently supported by welfare payments and are living at a standard below which, in the words of Beveridge, ‘no one should be allowed to fall’.”
A report by economist William Beveridge in 1942 formed the basis for the Welfare State. In a separate move, party president Tim Farron signalled the Lib-Dems are set to oppose the so-called “bedroom tax” in their election manifesto next year unless it is reformed.
