6 October 2015

What: In his speech to the Conservative party conference in Manchester, the work and pensions secretary fails to acknowledge that existing policies and reforms may cause harm to disabled people. Speaking less than three weeks after the Michael O’Sullivan PFD emerged, he tells party members: “The evidence of our reforms is that people respond to incentives….With our help, I say to them, you will work your way out of poverty.”

Why significant: Demonstrates the work and pensions secretary’s unwillingness to address concerns over the WCA and other policies, or even to admit that those concerns exist.