It is time the Coalition Government got tough on poverty and tough on the causes of poverty.
The main cause of poverty is, of course, the existence of far too many poor people.
And it will get worse. At a time when we can't afford the poor people we already have, the Treasury reports that the ranks will be swollen as those on low pay become the worst hit by the Westminster Government's new austerity measures.
This is a job for the Behavioural Insights Team of the Cabinet Office. The "nudge team" set up by David Cameron must find means of persuading indigent folk not to be a burden on taxpayers. To become so wealthy they won't even pay tax.
There are tried and tested methods for escaping from poverty. Such as emigration.
Think of the Highlanders made redundant by sheep who got on boats for a better life across the Atlantic Ocean. Or chose the tougher option and went to Glasgow.
Even in living memory (for some of us) there were ship-loads of folk off to enjoy barbecues, prawns and cold beer in Australia. Or gad about in fur coats and snowshoes in Canada.
With big aeroplanes, it is an easier journey these days to the colonies.
Another option is to return to the days when British industry ruled the world.
This will require some amendments to the Factories Act if we are to compete with Asian workforces. Every child over the age of eight will be guaranteed a manufacturing job. On six, 12-hour shifts a week the children will still be poor but they will be busy.
This will neatly solve the problem of young people not in employment, education or training. And no need to send the working class to university. This will put a stop to so many getting through the net into Oxbridge at a time when there aren't enough jobs for people who went to public schools.
The bedroom tax is showing promising signs of making the poor cheaper to house.
Families will be forced to share households as in Victorian days. They will be able to huddle together for warmth in the absence of means to pay for electricity and gas.
The final piece of the jigsaw is doing away with hospital waiting lists. In fact, doing away with the National Health Service.
Natural wastage, that'll sort the cost of looking after the old.
tom shields New poor laws
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