Labour’s welfare split

Claire Trevett reports:

Mr Shearer was also expected to be criticised – it is understood some caucus members were upset about Mr Shearer using the example of a person on the sickness benefit to state he did not approve of welfare fraud. Mr Shearer used the anecdote in a speech to GreyPower last week and yesterday said he stood by it.

It will be interesting to see if Shearer ever uses it again in a formal speech. If he does not, that will signal that Labour doesn’t support work testing for beneficiaries and is happy for people to remain on a benefit even if they are capable of working.