‘Labour should always remember many individuals require and deserve help and assist’

Work focus just the job

Getting the jobless, sick and disabled off benefits and into work is a noble drive for any government.

But Labour must never forget many people require and deserve support and help.

Finding the correct balance is not always easy. Austerity Tories demonised those relying on welfare while handing wealthfare to the Conservative Party’s mates and funders.

Thankfully, Keir Starmer and minister Liz Kendall seem alive to the dangers.

Guaranteeing a job, training or education for the one million young who are not in any of the three is a vital investment in the future.

Otherwise, the danger is we could lose a sizable slice of a generation, leaving vacancies unfilled while employers everywhere are left crying out for willing hands.

For Britain’s economic prosperity in the years ahead, we need skilled and educated workers earning good money for doing decent, important jobs. The more people we have in work, the better.

Home truths

Insurance companies must pay fair over Storm Bert instead of hiding behind obscure terms and conditions.

Some of those hit by flooding have lost
virtually everything, amid bitter complaints the authorities could have done more.

But the big picture, as ever, is climate change causing ever more extreme weather.

Heating and polluting the planet is not an abstract issue for other countries to combat when the results are felt here in Britain.

Those left bailing dirty water out of their homes and premises will agree – doing nothing is ultimately more expensive than collectively taking action now before it is too late.

The write stuff

Barbara Taylor Bradford was a woman of substance and an author of quality as well as quantity.

She defied literary snobs by capturing the hearts of readers – including millions of women inspired by her determination.