Following the re-publication of James Bartholomew’s book ‘The Welfare State We’re In’, and the recent political rows over the future of the benefits system, ieaTV caught up with former secretary of state Peter Lilley MP to discuss the future of the welfare state. Lilley believes that the time is now ripe for reform, especially given that public opinion has shifted so much on the issue of benefits. A proponent of radical pensions reform in the 1990s, Lilley now thinks the focus of reform of the welfare state should be more conditionality in benefit provision, as opposed to an obsessive focus on the level of benefits. He also believes that the rollout of workfare programmes would be a welcome reform.