Work longer hours to pay rising bills, says Tory MP
A MINISTER has come under fire after suggesting that people should work more hours or get a better job to tackle the cost of living crisis.
Rachel Maclean, the safeguarding minister, has been accused of dispensing “ludicrous” advice about how families can combat soaring household bills.
She told Sky News: “I think what we need to focus on now is over the longterm. We do have these short-term pressures on us that we’re all aware of.
“But over the long-term, we need to have a plan to grow the economy and make sure that people are able to protect themselves better, whether that is by taking on more hours or moving to a better-paid job. These are long-term actions but that is what we are focused on as a government.”
Ms Maclean, the MP for Redditch in Worcestershire, said she was not “suggesting for one moment” that such an option would work for everyone. But she said those with extra capacity could visit job centres to apply for either more hours or better rewarded employment.
She added: “It may be right for some people, they may be able to access additional hours, but, of course, it is not going to work for people who are already in three jobs. That’s why we need to have the other measures, such as all the help we are putting into schools, the help with the local authorities ... and that’s where we are going to target help to where it is most needed.”
Ms Maclean was appointed as a junior Home Office minister last September and this was her first time conducting a series of broadcast interviews.
Ian Murray, the Labour shadow cabinet minister, said: “It’s so out of touch with reality that I’m sure the minister knows how ludicrous it is.”
Frances O’grady, the general secretary of the Trades Union Congress, said: “Working people don’t need lectures – they need help. Millions are working flat out but are still struggling to cover the basics.”
The Prime Minister’s spokesman said: “The minister was clear in what she said, people’s individual circumstances will vary.”