WAR in Iran, and the prospect of poor people receiving fuel subsidies, has driven national hatred of anyone claiming benefits to levels not seen since 2006.

The threat of a fuel bailout not benefiting those with high incomes and multiple homes has caused a spike of loathing comparable only to the Thatcher years or the screening of a Channel 5 documentary with the word ‘scroungers’ in the title.

Professor Helen Archer, who teaches class loathing at the University of Durham, said: “It’s a dramatic shift. Five years ago calling a pregnant teenager on a council estate a ‘chav’ was considered poor taste.

“But now Waitrose shoppers have to continue paying energy bills they can easily afford, society has slipped back decades. Expect happy slapping and ASBOs to make a resurgence as an inevitable side effect.

“While once a wartime cost of living crisis would have engendered solidarity, those days are gone. In the modern era, a crumb of support offered to anyone who isn’t you or a pensioner with an exceptional war record is reason enough to hate.

“Of course, when Labour does its usual U-turn from a policy that makes financial sense to a policy that appeases voters, these payments will be a subsidy not a benefit. The resentment will remain and affect political affiliation accordingly.”

Benefits claimant Tom Booker said: “It was lovely to be seen as almost human for a while. But now I will resume my role as a parasitic scourge on civilisation.”