THE biggest shake-up of the benefits system in 60 years as outlined by Prime Minister David Cameron yesterday is bound to have many critics.

Is it radical? Yes, is it going to be painful? Yes, but is it needed? Without a doubt, yes.

Our benefits system is unwieldy, far too expensive and no longer sustainable.

That drastic action had to be taken at some point was without doubt.

There are those who will argue that the Welfare Reform Bill is pushing too many reforms too quickly. But we disagree.

It is better that action is taken sooner rather than later and the simplification of the whole system is to be welcomed.

Of course we understand some of the concerns being expressed and there is no doubt that vulnerable people who cannot work should still receive benefits.

But the introduction of a much stricter interpretation of the rules will, in the long term, benefit us all.

Those who can work, should work and if they refuse to do so then it is right that their benefits are curtailed.

Further, it has to be right that those who do accept work will not then be worse off financially.

Making working pay is one of the key planks of the reforms. This is something on which we can all agree.

That said however, the government faces a major issue in securing a balance between trying to get people off benefits and into work and making sure there are jobs available.

Given that so many people are currently facing losing their jobs because of major public sector cuts, the whole thing might just not stack up.