Tories would crack down on benefits

Gordon Brown was accused by the Conservatives last night of dragging Britain towards a ‘social catastrophe’ of benefit dependency. They called for an end to ‘doling out money’ to undeserving claimants and want a complete overhaul of the benefits system. Shadow welfare and pension secretary Theresa May said a Conservative government would ensure benefits are ‘time-limited’ so long-term claimants cannot get the dole without doing voluntary work and vowed to end the ‘couples penalty’ which rewards separating couples with extra tax credits.