Britain needs to “up its game” and get a work ethic in order to compete in the global economic race, according to a senior Tory MP.
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said there were nine million working age adults not in employment.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Political Thinking with Nick Robinson, the UK “needs everyone to make a contribution” to keep up with countries like China and India.
The Croydon South MP said he had worked hard in his career to set up businesses, adding: “It’s worked for me, it can work for the country as well.”
In his early teens, he developed a strong work ethic by delivering newspapers, washing cars and working in Sainsbury’s.
“I found that working hard brought its own reward and I’ve kept doing that ever since,” he said.
“It is something I would like to infuse more into our national culture as well.”
Asked if he thought a belief in hard work was something that was missing in Britain, he replied: “I do a bit.
“There are nine million working age adults who are not working.
“As we compete globally with countries like South Korea, China, India, we need a work ethic, we need everybody to be making a contribution.
“We are in a global race that means we have got be competitive and it means we have got to work hard.
“As a country we need to up our game.”
Political Thinking with Nick Robinson airs at 5.30pm on Saturday or can be found on BBC Sounds.
