The nature of work has become more insecure too, particularly for people starting out, with 16-24-year-olds nearly six times more likely to be on a zero-hours contract.
Given the party’s historic belief in the welfare state it is not easy for Labour politicians to say this out loud, but sometimes, as one minister admits privately, “if you can get more money by claiming you are sick, it is logical to do so”.
The benefits system is incredibly complicated, but it can throw up perverse incentives not to look for work.
Although the government had to back down from changes to some benefits in the face of angry backbenchers, the former Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall, did introduce the idea of “right to try”, where people can try out a job, without the fear of losing their income, and having to reapply for benefits if it doesn’t work out.
Ministers are reluctant to fuel an ugly conversation about who is “deserving” in society.