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Government adviser to join Tories | Government adviser to join Tories |
(about 21 hours later) | |
A government adviser on welfare reform has quit to become a frontbench spokesman for the Conservatives. | A government adviser on welfare reform has quit to become a frontbench spokesman for the Conservatives. |
Sir David Freud, architect of Labour's planned benefit system shake-up, is to be appointed shadow welfare minister by Tory leader David Cameron. | Sir David Freud, architect of Labour's planned benefit system shake-up, is to be appointed shadow welfare minister by Tory leader David Cameron. |
Mr Cameron described Sir David, who will become a peer, as a "hugely impressive figure". | Mr Cameron described Sir David, who will become a peer, as a "hugely impressive figure". |
Labour sources said Sir David had been an independent adviser and was never considered a party-political supporter. | Labour sources said Sir David had been an independent adviser and was never considered a party-political supporter. |
Sir David put forward measures in a green paper last year to encourage more disabled people and lone parents into employment. | Sir David put forward measures in a green paper last year to encourage more disabled people and lone parents into employment. |
It won the support of the Conservatives, while sparking outrage from many on the Labour left. | It won the support of the Conservatives, while sparking outrage from many on the Labour left. |
Radical proposals | Radical proposals |
Sir David had previously proposed opening up the welfare system to private sector providers in a bid to get the unemployed back into work. | Sir David had previously proposed opening up the welfare system to private sector providers in a bid to get the unemployed back into work. |
Mr Cameron told BBC One's Politics Show: "He's a hugely impressive figure." | Mr Cameron told BBC One's Politics Show: "He's a hugely impressive figure." |
He added: "One of the big challenges is to get people back into work and getting people who have been on benefits for a long time back into work. | He added: "One of the big challenges is to get people back into work and getting people who have been on benefits for a long time back into work. |
"I think David Freud has done more than anyone else to highlight how we can improve our welfare system and our training and jobs system and he [Sir David] will be a key part of a new Conservative government." | "I think David Freud has done more than anyone else to highlight how we can improve our welfare system and our training and jobs system and he [Sir David] will be a key part of a new Conservative government." |
It is understood that Mr Cameron and shadow chancellor George Osborne have been speaking regularly to the City financier about welfare and the economy for some time. | It is understood that Mr Cameron and shadow chancellor George Osborne have been speaking regularly to the City financier about welfare and the economy for some time. |
The Conservatives promised a "full-blooded version" of what they termed the government's "half-hearted" implementation of Sir David's radical proposals. | The Conservatives promised a "full-blooded version" of what they termed the government's "half-hearted" implementation of Sir David's radical proposals. |
'Important challenges' | |
Sir David said: "By the end of this recession there are likely to be more people on welfare than ever before. In particular we run the risk that another generation of long-term unemployed become condemned to languish outside the labour market for the rest of their lives. | |
"I see this as one of the most important challenges of the next few years. I am therefore delighted to accept David Cameron's invitation to join the Conservative team to work further on the solutions that will be needed." | |
In his resignation letter to Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell, Sir David wrote: "Extension of our arrangement would be incompatible with the new role I have been offered and accepted. | |
"I would like to stress how much I have enjoyed and appreciated working for you to improve the shape of welfare provision in this country. | |
"I believe a base has now been established which sets a direction for this and future governments to build on in the years to come." | |
The Conservatives will hope that the loss of a man closely identified with one of his government's key programmes will be embarrassing to Prime Minister Gordon Brown at a time when unemployment is nearing two million. | |
However, Labour strategists believe the party may be able to exploit differences between Mr Cameron and his new peer. | |
Sir David has backed policies such as making allowances for drug addicts conditional on them undergoing rehabilitation and a requirement for lone parents of children aged under five to prepare for work. | |
A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said: "We can confirm we discussed this matter in advance with David Freud and he has left his role as an adviser to the department by mutual consent. | |
"We thanked him for his important work in building consensus around the welfare reform green paper in July and wished him well for the future." | "We thanked him for his important work in building consensus around the welfare reform green paper in July and wished him well for the future." |