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05/04/2013
Debate Over Osborne's Philpott Benefit Comments
George Osbourne is at the centre of a political row following comments he made that attempted to link the case of Mick Philpott to a debate on the state of the welfare system in Britain.
Mick Philpott was sentenced on Thursday to life in prison for the manslaughter of six of his children. He, along with his wife Mairead and friend Paul Mosley were sentenced for their part in a plot to frame a former mistress of Philpott by setting their house on fire.
Much of the tabloid coverage of the case has focussed on Mr Philpott's status as a benefit claimant.
Mr Osborne has claimed there are lessons to be learned from Philpott's behaviour.
"I think there is a question for government and for society about the welfare state – and the taxpayers who pay for the welfare state – subsidising lifestyles like that, and I think that debate needs to be had," he said.
But shadow chancellor Ed Balls has rebuked George Osborne's claims.
"Chancellors have to think very carefully before they comment on the issues of the day. How they do so says a lot about the character of their chancellorship," he said.
"That is why I believe George Osborne's calculated decision to use the shocking and vile crimes of Mick Philpott to advance a political argument is the cynical act of a desperate chancellor. For the chancellor to link this wider debate to this shocking crime is nasty and divisive and demeans his office."
Conservatives have claimed the chancellor's remarks are legitimate, pointing to reports that Philpott was able to claim £54,253 annually through child benefit.
But Labour have said they are opposed to comments that seek to build support for the welfare cuts being imposed.
(IT/CD)
Mick Philpott was sentenced on Thursday to life in prison for the manslaughter of six of his children. He, along with his wife Mairead and friend Paul Mosley were sentenced for their part in a plot to frame a former mistress of Philpott by setting their house on fire.
Much of the tabloid coverage of the case has focussed on Mr Philpott's status as a benefit claimant.
Mr Osborne has claimed there are lessons to be learned from Philpott's behaviour.
"I think there is a question for government and for society about the welfare state – and the taxpayers who pay for the welfare state – subsidising lifestyles like that, and I think that debate needs to be had," he said.
But shadow chancellor Ed Balls has rebuked George Osborne's claims.
"Chancellors have to think very carefully before they comment on the issues of the day. How they do so says a lot about the character of their chancellorship," he said.
"That is why I believe George Osborne's calculated decision to use the shocking and vile crimes of Mick Philpott to advance a political argument is the cynical act of a desperate chancellor. For the chancellor to link this wider debate to this shocking crime is nasty and divisive and demeans his office."
Conservatives have claimed the chancellor's remarks are legitimate, pointing to reports that Philpott was able to claim £54,253 annually through child benefit.
But Labour have said they are opposed to comments that seek to build support for the welfare cuts being imposed.
(IT/CD)
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29 November 2013
Court Rejects Mairead Philpott Appeal
Mairead Philpott has lost her appeal over her sentence for the killing of six children in a house fire in Derby. Mrs Philpott was sentenced to 17 years in jail for manslaughter. Her husband Mick Philpott was jailed for life and a friend, Paul Mosley, was also jailed for 17 years.
Court Rejects Mairead Philpott Appeal
Mairead Philpott has lost her appeal over her sentence for the killing of six children in a house fire in Derby. Mrs Philpott was sentenced to 17 years in jail for manslaughter. Her husband Mick Philpott was jailed for life and a friend, Paul Mosley, was also jailed for 17 years.
19 March 2013
Jury Hears It's "Possible" Michael Philpott Started Fatal Fire
A jury has heard it is “possible” that Michael Philpott started the fire the killed six of his children. Mairead Philpott, Michael’s wife and co-accused in the manslaughter trial said her husband could have got up in the night and set the fire without her knowledge, the BBC have reported.
Jury Hears It's "Possible" Michael Philpott Started Fatal Fire
A jury has heard it is “possible” that Michael Philpott started the fire the killed six of his children. Mairead Philpott, Michael’s wife and co-accused in the manslaughter trial said her husband could have got up in the night and set the fire without her knowledge, the BBC have reported.
13 March 2013
Mick Philpott Denies Involvement In Fatal Fire
The father of six children who died in a house fire has denied starting the blaze at the families Derby home last May. 56-year-old Mick Philpott denies any involvement but has told a court he has suspicions about who started the fire. He alleges that he and his children had received death threats after the family appeared on ITV's Jeremy Kyle Show.
Mick Philpott Denies Involvement In Fatal Fire
The father of six children who died in a house fire has denied starting the blaze at the families Derby home last May. 56-year-old Mick Philpott denies any involvement but has told a court he has suspicions about who started the fire. He alleges that he and his children had received death threats after the family appeared on ITV's Jeremy Kyle Show.
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