A UK Government minister has caused outrage after suggesting people struggling during the cost-of-living crisis should consider taking on more hours at work or moving to a better-paid job.
While Rachel Maclean, safeguarding minister in the Home Office, admitted the idea would not work for all households, she said the solution for some people could be to look for additional work.
The comments come against a backdrop of soaring inflation, rising energy bills and high prices at the petrol pumps, with living standards set to fall at the steepest level on record.
On Monday morning Maclean told Sky News: “I think what we need to focus on now is over the long-term.
“We do have these short-term pressures on us that we’re all aware of.
“But over the long-term we need to have a plan to grow the economy and make sure that people are able to protect themselves better, whether that is by taking on more hours or moving to a better-paid job.
“These are long-term actions but that is what we are focused on as a Government.”
Maclean said she was not “suggesting for one moment” that such an option would work for everyone.
But she said those with extra capacity could visit job centres to apply for either more hours or better rewarded employment.
In the wake of the interview, Labour MP Tulip Siddiq commented: "This is just so insulting to so many of my constituents who are working every hour possible and struggling to make ends meet. No wonder people think politicians are out of touch."
Who is Rachel Maclean?
Maclean has been the Conservative MP for Redditch since 2017, but has not always been in politics.
Having studied experimental psychology at Oxford, before doing a masters at Aston University, Maclean joined a fast-track management scheme for multinational bank HSBC in 1989.
After working at the company across Australia, Japan and China for many years, Maclean went on to found a publishing firm with her husband in 2005.
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Maclean entered politics when her predecessor for the Redditch seat decided not to contest the 2017 snap election due to ill health. Maclean went on to win the seat with a majority of over 7000 votes.
The Conservative MP had been a keen Remainer prior to her election, but went on to back Theresa May’s failed Brexit deal. When May was ousted, Maclean threw her weight behind Brexiteer Michael Gove’s leadership campaign.
In Westminster, Maclean has served as parliamentary private secretary for Sajid Javid and transport minister, among other roles. In 2021 Maclean took on the role of minister for safe guarding with some responsibility for the Afghan resettlement programme.
How is the cost of living crisis affecting you?
From soaring energy bills to rising food prices and stagnating wages, it's getting harder and harder for many Scots to make ends meet. We want to tell the stories of how the cost of living crisis is impacting people in Scotland. Are you struggling to choose between heating and eating? Are you finding it increasingly difficult to afford your weekly shop? If so, we want to go beyond the statistics and tell your story.
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