Employment minister Chris Grayling came to Medway yesterday where he defended the Prime Minister’s controversial proposal to scrap housing benefit for people under the age of 25.

Speaking on a visit to Chatham’s Jobcentre Plus, Mr Grayling said the cutback should be put into context with the most radical changes to the welfare state in many years.

Scrapping the benefit for this age group would save £2 billion a year, forcing many to move back with their parents rather than live independently.

Mr Grayling , who was invited to the Towns by Chatham MP Tracey Crouch, described the government’s initiatives to get people jobs as "a ladder to climb, rather than a place to live".

David Cameron has said he wants to stop people who work resenting those on benefits.