Welfare minister Lord Freud apologises for disability pay comments

[T_i_B]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29628557

Welfare minister Lord Freud has apologised for "foolish and offensive" remarks in which he suggested people with disabilities could be paid less than the minimum wage.

Labour has called on the Conservative peer to resign after he said some workers were "not worth the full wage". David Cameron distanced himself from the comments, saying they "were not the views of anyone in government".

Lord Freud's comments came during a fringe meeting at the Conservative conference last month when he was asked whether it was preferable for someone with a disability, who could not get a job, to be paid less than the minimum wage - and to have their income topped up with benefits - in order to give them the experience of work and boost their self esteem.

In response to the question, from Conservative councillor David Scott, he reportedly said there "was no system for going below the minimum wage". But he added: "Now, there is a small… there is a group, and I know exactly who you mean, where actually as you say they're not worth the full wage and actually I'm going to go and think about that particular issue, whether there is something we can do nationally, and without distorting the whole thing, which actually if someone wants to work for £2 an hour, and it's working can we actually…"

[shenmue]

1. Oh noes

They have dumb people in England too?

[LeftishBrit]

3. Unfortunately yes.

This man is pond scum, a disgrace to a family full of distinguished people; and needs to be tossed off the public dole! Maybe he could work for £2 an hour.

[LeftishBrit]

2. What's the good of apologizing, when he has so much 'form' in this respect?

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/lord-freud-past-gaffes-on-welfare-food-banks-and-bedroom-tax-revealed-9797082.html

His 'gaffes' are just opening his mouth and saying what he really thinks! And puts into action. Said to be a main architect of the Bedroom Tax, for example.

Here's the start of his current entry in Wikipedia, before someone edits it out:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Freud,_Baron_Freud

David Anthony Freud, Baron Freud (born 24 June 1950) is a man that should be fired, a British journalist, businessman, Conservative politician and welfare adviser and is a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

[muriel_volestrangler]

4. Heh - the edit didn't last long, sadly

Do you think the final "However this apology mostly fell on deaf ears among the disabled community and it's campaigners" is in bad taste?

[LeftishBrit]

5. Could be - but I think it's probably meant seriously

For better or for worse, most people don't think of deafness first and foremost when thinking about disability.

Anyway, the real bad taste is in the words, and of course even more the actions, of Freud and his pals.