The government's further slashing of the welfare system is being justified through a systematic campaign to allege or imply that a huge number of people receiving support are workless, feckless, dishonest and trapped, says Simon Barrow. This message has been reinforced by the Whitehall emphasis on "strivers not skivers" and a huge tabloid-led media assault based on talking-up, exaggerating and distorting stories of "scroungers". But what is the reality behind these stereotypes and who is really being made to pay for austerity? (Ekklesia)