Iain Duncan Smith 'Too Busy' To Meet Benefits Street Residents
IDS Snubs Benefits Street Residents... As He's Too Busy
Asa Bennett— The Huffington Post UK
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File photo dated 15/1/2008 of Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Iain Duncan Smith who has denied reports that he attempted to pin the blame for "shocking" failures in his flagship welfare reform on his senior official.
Ian Nicholson/PA Wire
Iain Duncan Smith rejected an invitation to meet the residents of James Turner Street, made famous on the controversial Channel 4 documentary Benefits Street, as he was too busy.
But despite the secretary of state seizing on the show to justify his changes to the benefits system, the Huffington Post UK can reveal that he declined to meet the residents of James Turner Street.
Residents invited Duncan Smith and the main three party leaders to meet the residents, including those who appeared on the programme, claiming that the show fed a "stigmatisation" of benefit claimants.
But the work and pensions secretary said he could not find a time to make a visit, as shown in correspondence released after a Freedom of Information request. Sources close to Duncan Smith told HuffPostUK that they were "not aware" of any upcoming plans to meet the residents.
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Duncan Smith wrote: "We appreciate that the vast majority of people who can work want to work and so our strategy is to help them by making work pay and by improving employment opportunities. Of course, there are those who, for various reasons, may not be in a position to work.
"These can include people with children, the sick and disabled, and also those who are making every effort to find work but who are, through no fault of their own, unsuccessful. This is why assistance from the social security system has been designed with them , and their needs, in mind.
"Unfortunately, due to existing diary commitments, parliamentary and constituency business, I am unable to accept your invitation at this time."
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The work and pensions secretary praised the Birmingham Empowerment Forum, the local group which passed on the James Turner Street residents' invitation, for the "valuable work" they do in the community.
The Labor party leader made his prediction as he spoke at a conference organised by the IPPR and Policy Network think tanks about the welfare system in Australia.
"I understand you've got a television show here called Benefits Street," he told the audience. "Unfortunately, I suspect that'll be copied in Australia but I think that's an unhealthy development."
See also:
Benefits Street
White Dee offered rap offer(01 of13)
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Deirdre Kelly, known as White Dee in the Channel 4 series Benefits Street, at her home in James Turner Street, Winson Green in Birmingham and who claims to have been offered a musical career as a rapper. (credit:PA)
White Dee offered rap offer(02 of13)
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Deirdre Kelly, known as White Dee in the Channel 4 series Benefits Street, at her home in James Turner Street, Winson Green in Birmingham and who claims to have been offered a musical career as a rapper. (credit:PA)
Benefits Street(03 of13)
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Deirdre Kelly known locally as White Dee walks along James Turner Street in Birmingham. Residents of the street appear in the controversial Channel 4 series Benefits Street which has been attacked by a senior MP, who described it as a "misrepresentation" of life for people on social security. (credit:PA)
Benefits Street stars court case(04 of13)
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Deidre Kelly, better known as White Dee from the television show Benefits Street, arrives at Birmingham Magistrates Court to support other members of the show who are facing drugs and firearms charges. (credit:PA)
Benefits Street star's election bid(05 of13)
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File photo dated 10/02/14 of Deirdre Kelly known locally as White Dee who featured in TV show Benefits Street says she will run for Parliament after a "patronising" response from a sitting MP. (credit:PA)
Benefits Street(06 of13)
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James Turner Street in Birmingham, as residents of the street appear in the controversial Channel 4 series Benefits Street which has been attacked by a senior MP, who described it as a "misrepresentation" of life for people on social security. (credit:PA)
Benefits Street(07 of13)
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James Turner Street sign in Birmingham, as residents of the street appear in the controversial Channel 4 series Benefits Street which has been attacked by a senior MP, who described it as a "misrepresentation" of life for people on social security. (credit:PA)
Benefits Street(08 of13)
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James Turner Street sign in Birmingham, as residents of the street appear in the controversial Channel 4 series Benefits Street which has been attacked by a senior MP, who described it as a "misrepresentation" of life for people on social security. (credit:PA)
Benefits Street(09 of13)
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A misspelled sign on the house of 'Fungi' on James Turner Street in Birmingham, as residents of the street appear in the controversial Channel 4 series Benefits Street which has been attacked by a senior MP, who described it as a "misrepresentation" of life for people on social security. (credit:PA)
Benefits Street stars court case(10 of13)
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Samora Roberts, better known as Black Dee from the television show Benefits Street, arrives at Birmingham Magistrates Court to answer charges of conspiracy to supply a class A controlled drug, conspiracy to supply a class B controlled drug, possession of a class A controlled drug and possession of ammunition for a firearm without a certificate. (credit:PA)
Benefits Street stars court case(11 of13)
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Deidre Kelly, better known as White Dee from the television show Benefits Street, arrives at Birmingham Magistrates Court to support other members of the show who are facing drugs and firearms charges. (credit:PA)
Benefits Street(12 of13)
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The main school sign for The Oasis Academy Foundry as education chiefs at Oasis Community Learning have sent a formal letter of complaint to independent television watchdog Ofcom over claims adverse publicity generated by the Benefits Streets programme has breached the regulator's rules on the welfare of children attending The Oasis Academy Foundry, which is on the same Birmingham road where the programme was filmed. (credit:PA)
Benefits Street(13 of13)
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The James Turner Street road sign made famous by TV show Benefits Street was removed last week after apparently being taken by souvenir hunters. (credit:PA)