The "right to strike" in the UK comes under further attack today, as Iain Duncan Smith announces plans to withdraw Working Tax Credit for workers who take strike action.

The new Universal Credit model of benefit payments, part of a massive overhaul of the welfare state which is systematically attacking the living standards of the most vulnerable sections of the working class, includes plans to restrict payments to those who take industrial action.

Presently, workers who earn under £13,000 are able to claim Working Tax Credit (WTC) to top up their wages, workers can claim WTC against the first 10 days of strike action. As if the decision to take strike action wasn't already difficult enough, Duncan Smith's plans will further discourage workers from taking industrial action.

Duncan Smith has been quoted as saying that "the right to strike is a choice, and in future benefit claimants will have to pay the price for that choice, as under universal credit, we no longer will."

Of course, this announcement could help fuel the backlash already in full swing against both benefit claimants and striking workers, compounding the negative stereotypes already presented over again in the mainstream media.

More info here and here.