Local Government Finance Bill

Local authorities are statutorily obliged to deliver a scheme, and that scheme needs to be approved, but we need to have confidence in them. We are talking about a substantial and significant effect of localism. We took the decision to give more powers to local authorities, and we need to be able to trust them. However, hon. Ladies and Gentlemen opposite have been saying that their leader did not say those words. I happen to have a transcript from the ““Today”” programme. He was asked a question about welfare, and this is what the right hon. Gentleman said: there do need to be ““big changes””, with a"““greater sense of responsibility in the system...Anybody who can work should work””." We have to"““have sanctions in our system…I…see…a minority…of people on benefits””" who have been given a"““false sense of security…The Beveridge system was about saying people should be rewarded…for contributions.””" The right hon. Gentleman said that there should always be a safety net, and that"““In housing…need matters, but…you should also be rewarded with extra points…if you…work or volunteer,””" saying that some"““councils…are starting to do this…I am not against a cap””" on benefits. My word, how out of touch hon. Ladies and Gentlemen opposite are with what their leader is saying!