Complex benefit system at breaking point - Laws

Commenting on today's [Tuesday] Public Accounts Committee Report criticising the Government's use of hundreds of leaflets to communicate with the public, Liberal Democrat Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, David Laws MP said:

"The sheer volume of information the Government pumps out is hardly surprising considering the ludicrous complexity of our benefits system.

"We now have 50 separate benefits with around 250 different rates. The hundreds of complicated leaflets needed is symptomatic of a benefits system at breaking point.

"We need to radically rethink how we structure the benefits people receive to make them both simpler and fairer - it is critical that people understand what benefits they are entitled to. People should receive benefits based on need, not on how savvy they are at filling out lengthy claims forms."