THERE is nothing wrong with examining new ways of helping people who are struggling to find work.

But Lord Freud should have engaged his brain before "thinking out loud" about a suggested way of getting more disabled people into jobs.

The Conservative peer is facing calls to resign from opposition politicians and welfare campaigners after saying that some disabled people are "not worth the full (minimum) wage".

Lord Freud's gaffe came in response to a question at a fringe meeting at last month's Conservative conference. Councillor David Scott asked if it was preferable for someone with a disability, who could not get a job, to be paid less than the minimum wage and have their income topped up with benefits.

Given the fact that unemployment for disabled people has remained at around 50 per cent for 20 years despite various schemes, it is a legitimate area of debate.

Lord Freud should simply have said it was a suggestion worthy of further investigation. His appalling error of judgement was to use the word "worth" in the context of disability.

Thinking out loud or not, it is clearly disrespectful – and just plain wrong – to undervalue anyone on the grounds of their disability.

David Cameron has distanced himself from the controversy and Lord Freud has made an unreserved apology, accepting that his remark was offensive.

But, even if he sees out the storm, he will always be haunted by his comment and be labelled as the welfare minister who thinks some disabled people aren't worth the minimum wage.