Appearing on BBC Radio Newcastle Monday morning at 8.03am

I will be discussing the Benefit cap on Newcastle Radio first thing. We need to be fair - to the person working at Egger and Tesco, fair in the ongoing support for those who need it and fair in our work to get the short and long term unemployed back to work. I think the benefit cap is a good thing - for the first time a government has grasped the nettle and capped benefit. Bear in mind it the cap is £26,000 a year for a couple. Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment and the employment support allowance do not feature and will not be affected by this cap. We are specifically protecting those who cannot work, and those too ill to work, whilst making sure that work pays.