Should the welfare system be reformed? Is the tax credit system flawed? Is a universal credit a good idea in principle? The answer to all these questions is 'yes'. But if the question is about whether the government is tackling these issues in the correct way, the answer is 'no'. A huge change of direction is required.

The times in which the powerful and the comfortable could decide what is best for lives about which they have little comprehension are passing. Our family saying for this condition was 'VWTGTC'. It stood for 'vicar's wife taking gruel to cottagers'.

Ekklesia is pleased to support the following e-government petition (http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/43154), tabled by Francesca Martinez and WOW (War on Welfare) disability campaigners, calling for a cumulative impact assessment of Welfare Reform and a new deal for disabled people. The wording is as follows. Supporters can click the link below to sign.