Journalist claims benefits claimants are ‘parasites’ on TalkTV appearance

A JOURNALIST has claimed benefits claimants are “parasites” during a TV appearance.

Isabel Oakeshott, journalist and broadcaster and former political editor of the Sunday Times, said the people who benefit from Rachel Reeves’s Budget are the “people who do the least, so basically benefits claimants”.

Appearing on TalkTV on Thursday evening, Oakeshott asked: “How many young people are supposedly too sick to work and being supported by the state?”

“These figures are absolutely off the chart, and they are completely unjustified.

“By not announcing such a crackdown, Rachel Reeves basically turned this into a Budget of removing resources from those who work in order to keep on sustaining those who, frankly, can't be bothered to get out of bed and get themselves out, whether it's to an office or to any kind of job, and prefer to just sit on the sofa and order their Deliveroo and drive their Motability free vehicle and take everything that the state can offer.

“The state, that is people like you and me and our very many listeners who are grafting just to try to make ends meet.

“Basically these people are, frankly, parasites.”

Oakeshott was condemned by disability equality charity Scope, which said the comments were “utterly disgraceful”.

James Taylor, executive director of strategy and social change at Scope, said: “Isabel Oakeshott’s views on people who claim benefits belong in the past.

“Calling people ‘parasites’ is utterly disgraceful and fuels a dangerous and damaging narrative that we are today calling out.

“No disabled person who draws on the benefits system is living a life of luxury as Oakeshott claims.

“In fact, for many it’s the complete opposite. Huge numbers of disabled people are unable to afford the basics to have a decent standard of living, even with benefits.

“On top of this many disabled people are pushing hard for jobs.

(Image: PA) "There are a million disabled people in the UK who want to work, but are denied the opportunity because of employers' negative attitudes, delays getting the right support and inflexible working practices.

“Benefits serve a vital function in society. Like the NHS, they are a service that any of us might need to draw on at any time in life.

“Putting an end to the use of harmful language like this helps move us one step further towards an equal future for all.”