Pimlico Plumbers founder Charlie Mullins has backed Rishi Sunak’s fresh bid to tackle Britain’s ‘sick note’ culture.
The business tycoon lauded Sunak’s pledge to “remove benefits entirely” from people who were still out of work 12 months after support from a work coach.
The plan will be enacted should the Conservatives win the next election, he said in a speech earlier today.
Speaking on GB News, Mullins raged at workshy Britons and accused many of “playing the mental health card” in a fiery rant.
Charlie Mullins says Rishi Sunak has come up with the 'best idea ever'
GB NEWS
“I think it’s a great idea. I think it will help many people”, he said.
“I think this will help people who shouldn’t be on benefits into work.
“Im not talking about people with disabilities or those who cannot work or those who actually do have mental health problems.
“Let’s not kid anybody, there’s lots out there who are just playing the mental health card.
“A lot are lazy and bone idle and now is the time to put a stop to it, if not we are going to run out of money.”
Sunak said the welfare system as it stands is letting people down by not being focused enough on the work they might be able to do.
Charlie Mullins joined Ben Leo on GB News
GBNEWS
Rishi Sunak has vowed to crack down on workshy BritonsGB NewsThe PM says he has a “moral mission” to reform the sector as he announced major changes to the system in the face of criticism of his “hostile rhetoric”.
The British Medical Association criticised the “hostile rhetoric on sicknote culture” and cited the need to tackle lengthy waiting lists in the NHS to get people the care they need.
Sunak confirmed a previously announced commitment around the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) to see people with less severe conditions expected to look for work.
The Government said it remains committed to scrapping the WCA entirely and replacing it with a “new personalised, tailored approach”.
It has previously stated that the WCA changes would apply to new claims only, with the reform coming in from 2025 onwards.
The PM spoke of a “moral mission” to reform welfare to “give everyone who can the best possible chance of returning to work”, describing the “longstanding and proudly British view that work is a source of dignity, purpose, of hope.”
He said: “For me, it is a fundamental duty of Government to make sure that hard work is always rewarded.
He detailed plans for new legislation to prevent “fraudsters” from exploiting “the natural compassion and generosity of the British people”.
Sunak described the Government’s approach as saying “people with less severe mental health conditions should be expected to engage with the world of work”.