Tories use a poster to attack Labour over benefit vote

Today, the Conservative Party is launching a new campaign poster highlighting Labour's plan to vote for benefits to rise faster than workers' wages. Labour have said they will vote against today's second reading of the Welfare Uprating Bill, which limits benefit rises to 1 per cent for the next three years to help cut the deficit. This is despite their support for the Government's decision to cap public sector pay rises at 1 per cent. 

Commenting, Conservative Party Chairman Grant Shapps said: "For years, the gap between those who earn and those who live on benefits has grown – and this government is restoring fairness to the system. Labour have long since forgotten that people work hard to pay their taxes and support our welfare system. Today’s vote will be an opportunity for them to join us in the fairness lobby."

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The poster will be displayed at six key London sites, the Eye Holborn, Euston Rd Underpass East, The Spire A40 Western Ave, The City of London Gateway, Vauxhall Cross 9 Elms and Bondway.

The Shadow Chancellor, Ed Balls, talking about today's bill said: "The Government’s myths about who will be hit by their cuts to tax credits and benefits have now been exposed. While millionaires get a tax cut, 7 million striving working families are paying the price for David Cameron and George Osborne’s economic failure. The best way to get the benefits bill down is to get the economy growing and people back to work, not hit striving families. Labour’s compulsory jobs guarantee would give the long-term unemployed a job, which they will have to take up or lose their benefits. Our plan is tough but fair and the Government should back it.”