WOODFORD Green MP Iain Duncan Smith has outlined his vision for reforming the welfare system and rewarding people who actively look for work – ideas that have the support of people living in and around his constituency.

Mr Duncan Smith, who was appointed work and pensions secretary in the new coalition government on the back of his policy work with the Centre for Social Justice, has said the British benefits system requires a “radical” re-think.

This week the MP has outlined plans to restructure the system so that no-one is financially better off claiming benefits than if they were in a job, and that those who want a job are rewarded in favour of those who are willing to remain on benefits.

The Guardian went out onto the streets of Woodford Green to find out what the public thought.

Stacey Burman, 31, Maybank Road
The system is unfair the way it is at the moment. I'm a secondary school teacher and the other day a pupil of mine said 'Why should I get a job when I can get more money on benefits?' and it was a really difficult question to answer.

Rachel Wheeler, 40, Primrose Road
There are jobs out there for people but people need to be given the confidence to go out there and get them. I think education is rally important. If you educate people that they can get a job. Parents need to set a good example for their children.

Nicole Kinnen, 77, Kings Avenue
But it depends whether people are willing to take any job rather than lives in benefits. It depends if you want job satisfaction or not I suppose.

David Head, 72, Queens Avenue
I'm hopeful that something can be done but it will take time to change things, it's been like this for a long time. It's a lot harder for older people than for younger people if they get made redundant or something.

Sharon Clark, 45, Prospect Road
Some people can't work, like disabled people, and it's fine that they get benefits but those who can work have to be encouraged. I heard the other day a lot of people who are entitled to claim benefits don't because they don't know what they can get, so that's got to change too.

Lauren Guymer, 29, Kings Avenue
I do think the system can be more fair. If people get training and are helped to gain the confidence to get out and work then that's a good thing. I think if more was done earlier it would be better, before people grow up in this culture of claiming.