Selfridges has sparked a wave of outrage after selling a £55 T-shirt emblazoned with a controversial slogan mocking the unemployed.
The garment, which was available both online and at the retailer’s flagship Oxford Street store, carries the phrase: ‘Nothing pays as good as unemployment feels.’
The eye-watering price tag of £55 for the T-shirt is more than half of the weekly unemployment benefit of £90.50, leaving many to question the store’s tone-deaf approach.
Politicians have swiftly condemned the item, calling it ‘insensitive’ and ‘offensive.’
Former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith led the criticism, saying: ‘It is an insult and in poor taste — both to those trying to get off benefits and taxpayers.
‘Why don’t they do a T-shirt saying, ‘Nothing feels as good as that first pay cheque you earned yourself’? It is not a joke. Selfridges should bin them.’
The garment, which was available both online and at the retailer’s flagship Oxford Street store, carries the phrase: ‘Nothing pays as good as unemployment feels.’
Selfridges has sparked a wave of outrage after selling a £55 T-shirt emblazoned with a controversial slogan mocking the unemployed. Pictured: It’s flagship Oxford street store
Labour’s Lord David Blunkett, who previously served as Work and Pensions Secretary, also weighed in, stating: ‘It seems to me as though someone has completely lost their marbles.
‘Perhaps a taste of unemployment might bring them up to speed.’
Following an inquiry from The Sun on Sunday, Selfridges bosses removed the controversial tops from sale.
It comes as Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer recently pledging to reduce the welfare budget by £5 billion, focusing on moving people off sickness benefits and back into work.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall laid out the moves to save around £5billion amid fears spiralling costs are ‘unsustainable’.
Disability and incapacity benefits are expected to be the focus, with eligibility tightened and ongoing checks ramped up.
Those with mental health complaints could also face more obligations to seek jobs, while disabled people will be incentivised to try work with guarantees they will not lose out if it proves impossible.
However, Sir Keir Starmer is facing stubborn Labour resistance to the proposals even before they are formally announced, with critics branding them ‘shameful’.
Selfridges has been approached for comment.
