An MP has “welcomed” latest government figures which show that 1,759 households in the East of England have had their benefits capped in line with average earnings since April.

Mr Barclay said: “The new figures show that 19,000 households have had their benefits capped nationally as a result of the government’s benefit cap, which stops people getting more in benefits than the average family earns by going out to work.”

Mr Barclay said: “These figures show that we are working hard to put a stop to the something-for- nothing culture that developed under the last government.

“Thanks to the government’s benefit cap, 1,759 households in our region are no longer able to claim more in benefits than the average family earns by going out to work.

“These figures show this government’s plan to fix the welfare system is working and is delivering a fair deal for families who work hard and want to get on.

Mr Barclay, the MP for NE Cambs, added: “It is disappointing that the Labour Party voted against the benefit cap and allowed some families to get the equivalent of nearly a £70,000 salary in benefits. It is clear from constituents that many local people want to put a stop to the old culture of people in their street who were better off not working than those in jobs who had to get up each morning and go to work”.

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