People on benefits are pricing factory and farm workers out the housing market, says Shropshire MP

Factory, farm and office workers in Shropshire are being priced out of the housing market people raising mortgages through social security payments, an MP has said.

Mark Pritchard said the welfare budget was now ‘out of control’, and called for ‘tough love’ to help get people on benefits back into work.

Mr Pritchard, MP for The Wrekin, voiced his concerns during a parliamentary debate on welfare, after a top government adviser called for payments to young people to be reduced.

He said: “Some people are actually getting mortgages to buy houses on the basis of the benefits they receive, and that those on benefits who can save a little are actually using benefits to save for a deposit.

“I am in favour of cutting benefits as long as we protect the most vulnerable, but it is fundamentally unfair that people in my constituency who are working in factories, on farms and in offices and are struggling to save for their first property or pay their mortgage should be outdone by those who are being paid by the taxpayer to sit at home.

“They can have benefits, but they should not take advantage.”

Alan Milburn, who served in Tony Blair’s cabinets, has been asked by the Government to come up with a plan to reduce youth unemployment. Mr Milburn said his report, which will be published next week, will call for out-of-work welfare payments to be reduced for those under the age of 24.

Speaking to the Star afterwards, Mr Pritchard said: "The welfare budget is out of control. Benefits should be for the most vulnerable or those going through difficult times, but far too many people are now claiming benefits as a choice, rather than go out to look for work or seek help for addictions.

“Compassion is not always saying yes, but sometimes it is about saying no.

“Tough love is better for many of those who are finding many reasons not to work or re-train.

“The UK has many skills shortages, maybe that would be a good place to start for the huge numbers who are unskilled and living off other hard working taxpayers throughout Shropshire.”

Mr Pritchard also voiced concerns about the Government’s delay to increasing the defence budget.

“There is no social security without national security,” he told the Commons.