Recent research by the IMF shows that the flow of money to the poorer German states has created a form of benefit dependency.

ECONOMIST: The Merkel memorandum

Yet the former teaching assistant found even working as a solicitor's receptionist could not get her out of the cycle of benefit dependency and homelessness.

BBC: NEWS | UK | 'Hidden homeless' speak out

To cure the ills of single-parenthood, benefit-dependency and the like, he proposes a tougher welfare regime (though not all that different from the government's), tangible if unspecified support for marriage through the tax system and more job flexibility for parents.

ECONOMIST: David Cameron