A HOUSING campaigner in Kirklees says the Government wants to “drive poor people back to the workhouse’’.
Cora Carter has been shocked by Government plans to force council tenants into work.
Housing minister Caroline Flint suggested that new applicants for social housing might have to sign contracts promising to seek work.
Her proposal came as figures showed the number of unemployed council tenants has risen from 35% to 55% in the last 25 years.
Ms Carter, the chairman of Kirklees Federation of Tenants and Residents Associations, said: “I was shocked and disappointed to see Ms Flint attack the poorest people in society.
“Successive governments have marginalised and stigmatised people living in social housing.
“Ms Flint should be looking to address the problems of poverty, rather than driving the poor in society back into the workhouse.”
