Speculation that Iain Duncan Smith has to redo welfare and benefit plans

Whitehall sources have told the Observer that officials at the Treasury asked officials at the Department for Work and Pensions to ‘redo their sums’ as the plans put forward for welfare and benefit reform would either cost billions or disadvantage too many people. There is speculation that Iain Duncan Smith has gone directly to No 10, with the suggestion of means testing child benefit in order to pay for the changes.  

According to the Observer a source has revealed that Iain Duncan Smith is not prepared to accept anything less than wholesale reform of the welfare system. It is reported he hoped to present a white paper before the recess, however, sources suggest it will more likely be a strategy paper, outlining principles of the reform, rather than finalised policy plans.

For the full story please go the Guardian website.