A SOCIAL media war of words has broken out in Poole over benefits claimants.

The Twitter storm arose after Borough of Poole’s council leader commented on a TV programme about young welfare claimants via her Twitter account.

Cllr Elaine Atkinson denied she had maligned them while Phil Eades, Lib Dem Poole parliamentary candidate, said she should “seriously consider her position”.

Conservative Cllr Atkinson says her message, which included the words, “Smoke, drink & have kids. Such a sense of entitlement & no sense,” was in response to Channel 5 documentary Benefits Britain – Life on the Dole.

The documentary told of young people who had never worked and regarded benefits as “free money”.

Cllr Atkinson said: “I think that’s wrong. The people featured on the TV programme were making a life-style choice to live on welfare. I believe welfare should be a safety net.”

 


 

She said: “Everyone who can work should and contribute so we can look after those who can’t look after themselves. Opportunities are out there.”

Her post included, “Stop all cash, give vouchers,” and she said Poole had a system where those in crisis were helped by store cards which allowed them to buy necessities such as food or nappies, but not cigarettes or alcohol.

“We must support the most vulnerable. These people aren’t the most vulnerable and are making a lifestyle choice. We have to help them get into work,” she said.

Cllr Eades said on Twitter: “True contempt shown by Tory leader of Poole Council for those on benefits – you should be ashamed.”

He said: “I’m absolutely disgusted,” adding the programme featured, “the worst sort of benefit claimants and you can’t tar everybody with the same brush”.

He added: “To say don’t give cash give vouchers to all claimants is an appalling thing to say.”

He said: “She ought to think more carefully about what she says in public.”