Quote

The number one priority now is reducing the deficit that they [Labour] left us - the biggest deficit since the Second World War.

Iain Duncan Smith

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Iain Duncan Smith
Age: 70
Born: 1954
Born: January 1
British Politician
Politician
Edinburgh
Scotland
George Iain Duncan Smith
George Ian Duncan Smith
Sir Iain Duncan Smith
Sir George Iain Duncan Smith
Ian Duncan Smith
Rt. Hon. George Iain Duncan Smith
Second
Numbers
Reducing
Since
Priority
War
Deficit
Left
Labour
World
Priorities
Biggest
Number

More quotes by Iain Duncan Smith

Image
For families across the UK who are income-poor, but more than that, whose lives are blighted by worklessness, educational failure, family breakdown, problem debt and poor health, as well as other problems, giving them an extra pound - say through increased benefits - will not address the reason they find themselves in difficulty in the first place.
Iain Duncan Smith
Image
If you knowingly and willingly embark on criminal behaviour, the consequences of that should be... that you lose some of your benefits under the current system
Iain Duncan Smith
Image
Gang members have invariably grown up in broken, chaotic homes, often experiencing domestic violence they have truanted from school and many have been formally excluded and they live in neighbourhoods where worklessness, addiction and crime are rife.
Iain Duncan Smith
Image
All I can say to the others is, 'Look out, we're on our way.
Iain Duncan Smith
Image
By measuring the proportion of children living with the same parents from birth and whether their parents report a good quality relationship we are driving home the message that social programmes should promote family stability and avert breakdown.
Iain Duncan Smith
Image
A system that was originally designed to support the poorest in society is now trapping them in the very condition it was supposed to alleviate.
Iain Duncan Smith
Image
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?
Iain Duncan Smith
Image
Government cannot do it all. As we work hard to break welfare dependency and get young people ready for the labour market, we need businesses to give them a chance and not just fall back on labour from abroad.
Iain Duncan Smith
Image
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.
Iain Duncan Smith
Image
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.
Iain Duncan Smith
Image
In Birmingham, Manchester or Liverpool there are white gangs that share the same backgrounds - they come from broken homes, completely dysfunctional, mums for the most part unable to cope, the fathers of these kids completely not in the scene.
Iain Duncan Smith
Image
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.
Iain Duncan Smith
Image
There is nothing people can throw at me to say: Do this, do that.
Iain Duncan Smith
Image
The future of Conservatism lies in our beliefs and values, not by throwing them away. We need to shed associations that bind us to past failures, but hold faith with those things that make us Conservatives.
Iain Duncan Smith
Image
Look, I've always said from the word go many years ago that I felt the whole bonus culture, they need to think very carefully about being detached from the rest of the British public.
Iain Duncan Smith
Image
Well obviously the economy is critical to everything we do and we need to get the economy back in shape, the deficit down, the debt paid off, so that the economy can grow again and grow properly.
Iain Duncan Smith
Image
We have to ensure that our immigration system works in the interests of Britain, enabling us to make a realistic promise to our young school-leavers. It is part of our contract with the British people.
Iain Duncan Smith
Image
With the right support, a child growing up in a dysfunctional household, who was destined for a lifetime on benefits could be put on an entirely different track - one which sees them move into fulfilling and sustainable work. In doing so, they will pull themselves out of poverty.
Iain Duncan Smith
Image
My personal view is always I'm in favour of anything that gives parliament a greater say. That's after all what we were elected for.
Iain Duncan Smith
Image
Do not underestimate the determination of a quiet man.
Iain Duncan Smith