The highest form of charity, argued the 12th-century Jewish philosopher Maimonides, is when the help given enables the receiver to become self- sufficient.

But our systems of state charity - aka welfare - have too frequently had the opposite effect: they have actually created dependency. It is time to re-think the way we help people.

I'm going to suggest something that many might find upsetting and outlandish - that welfare would be more effective, more varied, more widespread and affordable if there were no state involvement. Read on ...