Welfare now has huge challenges

You’re right, David. A lot has changed since Savage’s day.

But it’s not quite right to claim that very few received benefits in the decades following his reforms. From 1946 the Universal Family Benefit went to every mother who had children under the age of 16. That made them part of the welfare state, but no one was vilified for that.

Back then we also had low unemployment, generous state housing, high home ownership rates, and a 40-hour week that delivered wages you could live on. In contrast, we now spend billions of our welfare budget topping up working people’s low wages and high rents. In contrast, the number of people on sole parent support, for instance, has remained static for years.

Yes, there will be a small, tiny minority of people who make bad calls, whether they are on government support or not. And yes, we should have the tools in place to deal with that (just like we should have the tools in place to deal with people who avoid paying their taxes).

But if we want to look at what has really changed since Savage, it’s the fact our welfare state is having to pick up everything that is broken – ridiculous housing costs, low wages and an education system that leaves too many behind.

If you want to genuinely help turn the bus around, start with that list. I’m sure Savage would.