Rachel Reeves says Labour does not want to represent people out of work

In an interview with the Guardian, the shadow work and pensions secretary laid out plans to slash the number of food banks operating in the UK if Labour comes to power. She said she felt it was a sign of "failed welfare state" that so many people in Britain were using them. 

"We are not the party of people on benefits. We don’t want to be seen, and we're not, the party to represent those who are out of work," she said.

"Labour are a party of working people, formed for and by working people."

There was a strong reaction to her comments on social media, with many pointing out that people who are on benefits can be employed. 

Can someone please also explain to Rachel Reeves that most people who claim benefits ARE in work pic.twitter.com/Sde8YfKChm

— Dawn Foster (@DawnHFoster) March 17, 2015

Would @RachelReevesMP like to explain why Labour isn't the party of those who have been made unemployed as a result of Tory austerity?

— Andy Gilderdale (@AndyGilder) March 17, 2015

@RachelReevesMP So when I meet unemployed youngsters, I tell them Labour doesn't want to represent them? https://t.co/9n9BtZ7fKw

— Owen Jones (@OwenJones84) March 17, 2015

Rachel Reeves really is doing her best to mimic Iain Duncan Smith

— Matilda (@MatofKilburnia) March 17, 2015

Shortly after she was appointed, Reeves warned that Labour would be tougher than the Conservatives when it came to cutting the benefits bill.

Labour recently slipped behind the Conservatives in the opinion polls for the first time in three years.