Cameron backs Osborne’s Philpott benefit concerns

The Prime Minister echoed comments by George Osborne, saying society had to consider what “signals” benefits sent.

Mr Osborne was strongly criticised for his comments about the Philpott case and came under renewed attack after it was found that his chauffeur-driven government car had parked in a disabled bay at a service station on the M4.

However, the Chancellor’s Liberal Democrat deputy, Danny Alexander, said he did not believe the case should be linked to the coalition’s controversial shake-up: “I would not want to connect that [case] to the much wider need to reform our welfare system.”

Mr Cameron said: “I think what George Osborne said was absolutely right. We do want to make clear that welfare is there to help people who work hard and should not be there as a sort of life choice. I think that is entirely legitimate.”

Philpott, who was jailed for life for killing six children in a fire, lived in a council house in Derby, claimed thousands of pounds in benefits and refused to get a job.

Mr Osborne was yesterday asked if the Philpotts were a product of Britain’s benefit system, and said: “I think there is a question for government and for society about the welfare state, and the taxpayers who pay for the welfare state, subsidising lifestyles like that. And I think that debate needs to be had.”