Interestingly, though, Employment and Support Allowance, which is the replacement for Incapacity Benefit, is one of those payments restricted to a 1% rise.

BBC: UK Politics

The programme was criticised by several members of the committee as a damaging replacement to the employer-led apprenticeship programme, which did not lead to employment and was potentially de-motivating to students.

BBC: Employment and Learning Committee

Extensive research in 16 OECD countries has shown that there is a strong correlation between high female employment rates and large government cash transfers to families, generous replacement pay during parental leave, the availability of plenty of part-time work and lots of formal child care.

ECONOMIST: Most of the rich world is short of babies