Iain Duncan Smith refers to government policies announced yesterday for three million extra apprenticeships for the young jobless, as part of efforts to eradicate youth unemployment. And he announces that job centres will work with pupils aged 15 or above who are at risk of falling out of education, employment or training, to support their aspirations and change their life prospects.

BBC News website reader in Kent: It's a wonder that people on benefits aren't required to paint a red cross on their front door.

Iain Duncan Smith hails his department's welfare reforms as a success, and says they have helped people "at the very margins of society" who have been "left behind for too long". For them it is about life change, he tells conference.

The work and pensions secretary says his department's welfare reforms are vital to the government's economic plan - setting people on a journey from "dependence to independence". Iain Duncan Smith says the proportion of workless households was at its highest for over a decade under Labour, but is now the lowest on record. He criticises Labour for "relentlessly" opposing the changes in favour of short-term politics.

People should not forget the legacy bequeathed to the government by Labour, Iain Duncan Smith says. He characterises it as "social breakdown and financial meltdown". He says welfare bills "spiralled out of control", and by 2010 cost every household in Britain £3,000 extra a year to sustain Labour's "something-for-nothing culture".

Commenting on the government's record, Iain Duncan Smith declares that Britain now stands on "a sound and stable footing" after being "crippled by Labour's great recession". He says the country has got "back to work", bringing security to families across the UK.

Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith has the platform - and pays tribute to his "incredible" team of ministers, advisers and departmental staff, and extends his congratulations to Lib Dem pensions minister Steve Webb.

tweets:, external John Redwood having what looks like quite a cordial conversation with Michael Fallon outside conf centre despite EU biz warning reports

Time for a panel discussion now, led by employment minister Esther McVey. Iain Duncan Smith - the man who has been driving the government's welfare reforms - will be addressing conference in about 10 minutes.

writes: Only a Tory-Ukip deal can stop Labour winning power., external Combined, the Conservative and Ukip vote comes to nearly half the national total. Yet, as things stand, Ed Miliband is likely to become Prime Minister with around 35 per cent support. Read more, external

writes: White Dee: The Conservatives are out of touch, I could vote Ukip, external. The Benefit Streets star hits out at the Conservatives, "childish" Ed Miliband and says that Nigel Farage is clever not to talk about welfare policies.

tweets:, external Just announced that in last year 230,000 homes given planning permission in England #cpc14

Eric Pickles says David Cameron is taking forward former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's "spirit of aspiration". He adds that he is proud of the Conservatives' record in government - but fears this could be "wiped out" by Labour if it wins the general election. "We will never forget the deficit," he says and concludes that together the Conservatives can build a Britain "that we can all be proud of".

Toy lizards loosely based on Boris Johnson are on sale at the conference.

Image source, Reuters

Eric Pickles praises the government's Help to Buy and Right to Buy housing schemes - and announces that last year 230,000 homes received planning permission "in England alone". He pledges that the Conservatives will do more - and reiterates a commitment to help first-time home buyers, including with 100,000 new starter homes sold at 20% of the market rate. There will also be a rent to buy scheme to help young people to save the deposit to buy a new home.

Eric Pickles says he is most proud of his department's achievements on housing, which he says have been the most difficult aspect of policy to deliver. He says the Conservatives were the first party to put home ownership "in the grasp" of people. Labour "just didn't think it mattered", he adds, noting that house-building fell to the lowest peace time level in the 1920s. He goes on to criticise Ed Miliband's plan for housing.

Eric Pickles reveals his efficiency drive enabled the department to relocate to the Home Office's building, meaning he is now "hot-desking" with Theresa May to save taxpayers' £9m a year. "I'm sure she's very happy," he quips.

Eric Pickles says his purpose in government has been to bring "real" power to the people, through policies such as council tax freezes, enabling councils to share services and management to cut costs, and reducing the size of government. He says his own department's workforce has been reduced by 60%.

Eric Pickles says David Cameron is determined to deliver "fairness" to England, and all parts of the United Kingdom. It is not a surprise that Labour just doesn't get it, he adds, and accuses the previous government of trying to "palm off" the electorate with regional government. "Any solution that involves taxpayers funding more politicians is definitely not the answer."