David Cameron’s announcement on the eve of the Tory Conference, that  Tory Government would review all those on Incapacity benefit with a view to getting many of them in to work or on £25 per week less in benefits (switching to Job Seekers), is a cheap shot at best in an attempt to woo the right wing of his own party and of course the right wing press.

At a time of deep recession when unemployment isn’t expected to start dropping any time soon, targeting those on incapacity benefit, forcing them onto the end of a growing jobs queue really isn’t going to solve the problem. In many parts of the country it is now common for up to 100 applicants for a job. How helpful will it be to add people who have been on incapacity benefit for possibly years , too that jobs market?

Everyone knows that the benefit system needs reform, it’s been Lib Dem policy for as long as I can remember. All main parties want reform and all main parties are committed to reviewing spending.

But this is really just another case of Tory posturing coupled with spending cuts. But cuts for cuts sake is irresponsible and will harm vulnerable people. We have to reconcile any proposed cuts too what our spending priorities need to be over the coming decade.

We need to protect the vulnerable, to protect vital front line services and to maintain key public services. Sadly the nature of Cameron’s announcement just reaffirms Tory cruel intentions and shows a reverting to type in the quest for media coverage and spending cuts.