TUC says Tories are punching down after Jeremy Hunt and Mel Stride say jobless benefits mustn’t be lifestyle choiceJeremy Hunt and Mel Stride warn against benefits ‘lifestyle choice’Chancellor Jeremy Hunt and work and pensions secretary Mel Stride have been accused of “gaslighting the British public”, after claiming the unemployed have “ample opportunities” to find a job.Hunt and Stride have written in the Times today that there’s no reason to be stuck on benefits.“We’ve been clear that unemployment benefits should only be there as a safety net, not a lifestyle choice. With around 900,000 vacancies in the economy there are ample opportunities for people to get on and get ahead in the world of work.” Continue reading...