Helen Whately: “A strong country needs people to work and contribute. But Labour have made it easier to claim and harder to get a job.”

We cannot go on like this – with millions of people living on benefits instead of in work. Britain can’t afford it. It’s not fair on taxpayers footing the bill.

We must, of course, look after people too sick to disabled to work. We’re a civilised society. We’re compassionate. We want a safety net to be there for people in desperate need.

Our welfare system should be a safety net, not a lifestyle choice.

Faced with a choice between spending on military training and spending on benefits... Labour chooses more benefits.