New Times,
New Thinking.

18 October 2013

Time to put a name to the anonymous spokesperson

The "a spokesman said" formulation serves mostly to allow institutions to issue statements that no actual human would make.

By Jonn Elledge

Here’s a quote from an unnamed spokesman for Britain’s much loved Department for Work & Pensions. See if you can guess what they’re commenting on:

“Since 2010 we have considerably improved the Work Capability Assessment process. We are committed to help thousands of people move from benefits and back into work while giving unconditional support to those who are most in need.”

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