Labour Taking Advice On Welfare From A Billionaire

A tough American welfare programme, which links payments to performance by low paid workers, is to be introduced in Britain. Gordon Brown backed the initiative, Opportunity NYC, which is to be renamed Contracts out of Poverty in Britain, when he met New York’s mayor, Michael Bloomberg, yesterday.

A government source said: “The new system builds on tax credits. They will still be there for people who take part in this programme. But they are paid regardless of performance. Under Contracts out of Poverty, some payments will be linked to performance.” Alistair Darling, the chancellor, announced more than £100m in support for the programme in last month’s budget. But Brown’s decision to endorse it in such a high-profile manner in New York may add to unease among Labour backbenchers who are threatening to rebel against the abolition of the 10p rate. (ht2 Chicken Yoghurt)

What is this obscene insanity day? Imagine poverty dealt with on terms set by the rich elite, what could possibly go wrong? Oh yeah right, that.