Frank Field: Radical ideas

Telling BBC Radio what he has learned from officials in Devon Dur: 1'14"

Move to End Universal Benefits

The Government is considering doing away with the system of universal benefit payments.

The Social Security Minister, Frank Field, has signalled that he wants to see welfare budgets managed locally.

During a visit to the West Country, Mr Field warned his Government colleagues against trying to block important reforms.

Speaking in Exeter, he said it was clear that staff administering a £170 million budget had no ability to help break the cycle of welfare dependency, because they had no control over how the money was spent.

So, for example, they could not divert even £15 million towards education or other areas to help create opportunities unless they were given greater control.

Asked if that meant he wanted to see local autonomy, Mr Field said: "If it doesn't happen, I don't see how we are going to be able to deliver the sorts of reforms that we want to deliver."

"So it's clearly got to be on the agenda. Quite how we do that is the next stage."

BBC political correspondent, Sarah Nelson, looks at how local management might work

Mr Field also said his trip had underlined the importance of backing from the very top. He said the Prime Minister was totally committed to reform and without that support the changes necessary to deliver a new effective welfare system could not be made.