O'Donnell attacks 'out-of-touch' MPs' attitudes to benefits

Former cabinet secretary warns too many politicians 'don't get' poverty


Proxima

By Jon Stone

05 Mar 2015

Too many people in politics have no idea what it is like to live on benefits, the former head of the civil service has said.

Lord [Gus] O’Donnell told the Global Government Forum: “There are unfortunately too many people in politics who just don’t get it; who just don’t understand what life on benefits would be like."

He also called for open primaries to broaden access to Westminster.

Share this page