A lower welfare bill could be achieved through higher rates of pay, a proper living wage, not an Osborne pretend one.
However, it's not enough to just swap wage for welfare. It needs to be done gradually so that those caught in the trap are not penalised. I think I read somewhere recently that some people can end up losing 97p out of every pound extra they earn. It needs to be tapered.
I have never had to apply for any sort of tax credit, so do not understand the system. My son and his partner have, and have been completely flummoxed by it, one year being paid tax credits whilst at the same time being told they had been paid too much and having to pay it back.
Child benefit and child tax credits seem superfluous.
Another call for People's QE to get more jobs at higher wages.