Britain may emerge from the coronavirus crisis with renewed support for the welfare state, says the new Labour MP in charge of benefits policy.
Jonathan Reynolds, who represents Stalybridge and Hyde, said the current pandemic proves the need for ‘a safety net when times get hard’, while promising to immediately push the government over gaps in the system.
Mr Reynolds was promoted to shadow work and pensions secretary on Monday amid a crisis that has already seen a million people apply for Universal Credit in three weeks.
He said the pandemic had underlined a ‘two tier’ system of employment in this country that has meant some people are able to work from home with no drop in pay, while others are left struggling to cope.