Think tanks publish open letter from Catholics to Iain Duncan Smith

Iain Duncan Smith - official portrait

The think tanks Ekklesia and Centre for Welfare Reform have today (3rd July 2015) published an open letter to Iain Duncan Smith from Catholics and people brought up in the Catholic faith who support its teaching on social justice.

Signatories to the letter include the author and screenwriter , Frank Cottrell-Boyce; academic historian Sir Tom Devine; author and former Catholic, David Lodge; Professor Mary Grey, Professor Tina Beattie; the Union of Catholic Mothers; academics, writers, retired professionals, justice and peace workers, and parish priests.

The letter, which was coordinated by Ekklesia Chief Operating Officer, Virginia Moffatt and Ekklesia Associate, Bernadette Meaden, both Catholics, calls for a change of direction on welfare reform. It is published in advance of the emergency budget of the 8th July which is widely anticipated to include a further £12 billion of welfare cuts.

It highlights concerns that the Department of Work and Pensions continues to apply sanctions to benefit claimants despite known health risks; the harm caused to disabled and sick people by the work capability assessment and changes to disability living allowance; the problems caused by the benefit cap; and the roll out of Universal credit.

The letter acknowledges that Mr Duncan Smith's sincerely held beliefs inform his work on welfare which is well intentioned. However, the outcome of his reform is increasing distress to some of the poorest people in society. Citing the 1932 Papal Encyclical 'Quadragesimo Anno' the writers ask that he acknowledges their concerns and enters into dialogue with them.

The Union of Catholic Mothers said on signing: "We are happy to add our voice to this expression of concern especially as it could affect so many families, the poor and vulnerable people."

Virginia Moffatt, one of the co-authors stated: "We thought long and hard about writing an open letter to Iain Duncan Smith. As a way of trying to influence government policy, this method would certainly not be our first choice. We believe in focusing on policies, not politicians. But we also believe we have now reached the position where to appeal to Mr Duncan Smith as an individual, and to make a strong public show of concern, is necessary."

Ekklesia and the Centre for Welfare Reform publish research and commentary on issues of welfare reform and are long term critics of austerity and the government's approach to welfare reform.

Read the letter in full here: www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/21853