Benefit cuts won't mean poverty, says MLC

"Vulnerable will be protected"

Cuts to unemployment benefits won’t mean anybody’s forced into poverty, according to the man responsible for the changes.

Bill Henderson MLC is the political member of the Department of Health and Social Care with responsibility for social security.

He recently announced a ten per cent cut to jobseekers’ allowance, followed by a further 40 per cent cut if somebody’s been out of work for more than a year.

But Mr Henderson, speaking live on Manx Radio today, insisted the system will still protect the vulnerable: