§ 15. Mr. WhittingdaleTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in which European countries changes to welfare benefits are taking place; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ArbuthnotMost other European countries are taking action to curb the growth of expenditure on social protection. In many cases they are being forced to do so by financial crises.
In the United Kingdom we have approached the problem in a systematic way which is enabling us to protect the most vulnerable while not outstripping the nation's ability to pay.
Many other countries around the world are pursuing similar objectives.