GEORGE OSBORNE will use his comprehensive spending review to reconsider the tax credit cuts implemented on the poorest families, in essence his work penalty.

It has been suggested he will do so by making all housing benefit claimants pay the first ten per cent of any award.

So for people on a low income, they will be told to contribute 30 per cent towards council tax (£7 a week) ten per cent of any housing benefit (ranging from £7 to £13 a week) and some the bedroom tax (824 households pay on average £15 per week in York).

Let’s not even think about the consequences of the forthcoming benefit cap for larger families living in private rented accommodation in York.

When one considers that more than half of housing benefit claimants are in work, it is clear such a plan would represent work penalty mark two.

Let us be clear – the Tories have long abandoned the concept of making work pay.

They are simply choosing to use austerity as a smokescreen for destroying the welfare state in front of our very eyes.

Richard Bridge, Holgate Road, York