Stop making people prove they’re skint to get basic help

Why do we make it so damn hard for people who are clearly struggling to get support? It feels like the system is designed to catch people out, not help them. This new proposal is about shifting that. Instead of endless forms and constant checks for people on benefits, we should have a simpler system that trusts people are in need unless proven otherwise.

We'd do this by linking existing data. If you’re already paying tax through an employer, or if your council tax band shows you’re in a low-income household, that should be enough for many benefits. No more proving you bought supermarket own-brand beans when you’re already on minimum wage. It cuts down on the massive admin cost of the current system and, more importantly, means people get help when they actually need it, not months later after jumping through hoops.