The Conservative Party’s candidate for East Ham said he would be “happy to cut benefits” and criticised a culture of east Londoners “not working”.

Newham Recorder: West Ham Tory Festus Akinbusoye blames Newham's problems on the Labour PartyWest Ham Tory Festus Akinbusoye blames Newham's problems on the Labour Party (Image: Archant)

Samir Jassal was speaking at a meeting with West Ham’s Tory candidate Festus Akinbusoye and London Assembly Member Andrew Boff in Beckton on Thursday last week.

“We are happy to cut benefits to get people back into work – that’s a record we’re proud of,” he told the Recorder. “There are parts of East London where not working has become a culture.

“Making cuts in welfare and promoting people into work is what we are committed to.

“We have to move away from people who want social housing because it’s the easier option.”

Mr Jassal’s comments came despite Mr Boff appealing to Tories to show residents the party is for “everyone” in Newham.

“We are the alternative to the elected dictatorship of Robin Wales,” he said. “The Labour Party have got nothing for residents of Newham.”

Mr Akinbusoye also targeted Labour at the meeting, saying: “In 100 years of Labour running this borough Newham has remained one of the most socially deprived boroughs in the country.”