THE Government's controversial reform of the welfare system has been welcomed by Central Devon Conservative MP Mel Stride.

The reform is seen as the most radical in 60 years. The Welfare Bill and Work Programme follows Conservative election promises to mark the beginning of a new era of welfare.

At the election, the Conservatives promised to work to reduce high marginal tax rates faced by people on low incomes who want to return to work or increase their earnings. The Government says its Universal Credit will simplify the system, ensuring it will always pay to work.

The Conservatives also promised to impose sanctions to remove benefits from those who will not take work when it is offered. If someone is unemployed and refuses to take either a reasonable job or to do some work in the community in return for their unemployment benefit, they will lose their benefits for three months.

The Government will also introduce an annual cap, ensuring no family can get more in benefits than the average family earns by going out to work.

Mr Stride said: 'These reforms show that this Government is on the side of people who want to get ahead. These measures will get people into work and will reform the welfare system to ensure that work always pays and no one can say they are better off on benefits.