Clegg: Cap on benefits ‘perfectly reasonable’

Nick Clegg responds to criticisms about the government’s planned cap on housing benefits:

“We all indulge in a bit of hyperbole, but I have to say… quite seriously that to refer to ‘cleansing’ will be deeply offensive to people who have witnessed ethnic cleansing in other parts of the world.

“We are saying that it is perfectly reasonable for the Government to say that they will not hand out more in housing benefit than those who go out to work, pay their taxes and play by the rules would pay when looking for housing themselves.

“We are simply suggesting that there should be a cap for family homes with four bedrooms of £400 a week. That is £21,000 a year.”