Welfare Minister Criticised For Questioning 'Worth' Of Disabled People

Nick Clegg has criticised welfare minister Lord Freud for his comments on some disabled people not being "worth" the minimum wage.

The deputy leader said that Lord Freud's comments had been "deeply distressing" and "offensive".

Lord Freud made his comments during a Conservative Party event in response to Tunbridge Wells councillor David Scott.

Councillor Scott raised concerns that employers were unwilling to pay some "mentally damaged individuals" the minimum wage. Lord Freud said in response: "There is a group - and I know exactly who you mean - where actually, as you say, they're not worth the full wage and actually I'm going to go and think about that particular issue, whether there is something we can do nationally, and without distorting the whole thing, which actually if someone wants to work for £2 an hour, and it's working can we actually..."

Mr Clegg took a call about the issue during his LBC Radio phone-in show, Call Clegg, and said that he took exception to the use of the word "worth", saying that it "quite rightly, touched a nerve because it is making a comment about someone's individual value."

He added: "That was deeply distressing and offensive to people".

Lord Freud has issued an apology for his comments, but it is understood that Labour has called for the minister to come before the Lords to explain in person.

(MH/CD)