The Minister for Welfare Reform, Frank Field, has chosen to tackle criticisms of the government's plans head on by starting his tour in Edinburgh. The Labour Party in Scotland responded with particular anger to the government's decision to cut lone parents' benefits last year.

Lone parent benefit cuts sparked a Labour backbench revolt last December

Mr Field told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "If the reform programme is going to 'take', the requirement is to go to areas where there may be greatest opposition rather than confining myself to areas where discussion will be easiest."

Radical agenda?

The government's determination to reform the welfare system is a response to the spiralling social security budget, which accounts for one third of all government spending, and a simultaneous increase in poverty.

Mr Field shrugged off claims that his Green Paper on welfare reform, 'A New Contract For Welfare', was not as radical as people had expected, saying: "I'm not terribly interested in that agenda."

The roadshow's priority, the minister said, was to win support for the reform principles set out in the Green Paper, and also for the 32 "success measurements" it lays down which will enable people to judge whether the Government is meeting its objectives.

The Green Paper, the basic principle of which is: 'Work for those who can; security for those who cannot' sets out an "approach" to reform, not a "menu" for it.

When this approach is finally agreed, the government will then come forward with specific proposals to fit it.