Iain Duncan Smith Quotes
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People work hard.
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I went up to the top of the career ladder and I came down again, I am past all that.
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I hate this argument that says little Britain or something outside, or Britain is part of a wider Europe. We can both be within our trading relationships within Europe but we can also be a fantastic global trader.
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Work is transformative. It gives you a greater chance of a greater income. You can affect your life while you're of working age, so you have scope and opportunity. Pensioners do not.
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Too many couples break up without understanding the consequences for their families.
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Over the years the political establishment has frowned if a mainstream politician mentions marriage.
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What happened I think on Sept. 11 was we were given graphic and clear evidence that things had changed.
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In many ways, Scotland will benefit more than other parts of the UK when Universal Credit comes in. A larger percentage of people will see an increase in their income through moving into work or taking on more hours.
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If Britain is to have a stable, affordable pension system, people need to work longer, but we will reward their hard work with a decent state pension that will enable them to enjoy quality of life in their retirement.
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All too often, government's response to social breakdown has been a classic case of 'patching' - a case of handing money out, containing problems and limiting the damage but, in doing so, supporting - even reinforcing - dysfunctional behaviour.
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When the news is good, the BBC view is: 'Get the government out of the picture quickly, don't allow them to say anything about it.' When the news is bad: 'Let's all dump on the government.'
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After years of piecemeal reform the current welfare system is complex and unfair.
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With participation in politics so low at the moment I think Christians should ensure their views are represented at all levels and not leave it to others.
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You know in my own area of Waltham Forest, we've had many murders as a result of the gang violence and often innocent bystanders get caught up in it.
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Even as our economy starts to pick up, and new jobs are created, there is a risk that young people in Britain won't get the chances they deserve because businesses will continue to look elsewhere.
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Due to the reliance on the old heavy industries in many parts of the country, it makes perfect sense that we need to spend more money per head of population on welfare support in Scotland.
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We have to challenge the whole idea that it's acceptable for a society like Britain to have such a significant number of people who do not work one day of the week and don't have any possibility of improving the quality of their lives.
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It's fairness to say those who work hard, get up in the morning, cut their cloth - in other words 'we can only afford to have one or two children because we don't earn enough'. They pay their taxes and they want to know that the same kind of decision-making is taking place for those on benefits.
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Thankfully, due to the United Kingdom and the commitment of the Westminster government we are able to ensure that money brought in, whether it be from the City of London or from North Sea oil, can be pooled and directed to wherever it is needed most. That is what being in the United Kingdom is all about.
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Can there not be a limit to the fact that really you need to cut your cloth in accordance with what capabilities and finances you have?
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No I'm not a great believer in getting back over things and saying if only, or if, or buts because I don't think we actually get anywhere on that.
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Balance is if you try hard, you work hard then the rewards are in balance with what you put in and what is available.
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I do not believe the picture that some people paint of Scottish towns dependent on welfare. Every time I come here, I meet people who are determined to get into work. Who, with the right help are desperate to get off benefits, support their family and set an example for their children.
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We do a disservice to society if we ignore the evidence which shows that stable families tend to be associated with better outcomes for children.