UK will reduce welfare costs by next election, Healey says
The chancellor said welfare spending must fall as the government awaits two reviews and prepares broader reforms to the benefits system.
- On Thursday, Chancellor John Healey pledged a "reduction in the benefits bill" before the next General Election, despite omitting specific welfare reform plans from Wednesday's Budget.
- Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch accused Labour of being "addicted" to welfare, while the Institute for Fiscal Studies warned the government delayed tough decisions by failing to address ballooning costs.
- Welfare spending is forecast to rise by £19bn to £353bn this year, though Healey insisted the government is already reducing the rate of increase through face-to-face assessments.
- Healey ruled out "crude cuts," instead awaiting reviews by former minister Alan Milburn and Labour minister Sir Stephen Timms into youth unemployment and disability benefits, due next month.
- The government plans to publish policy proposals and legislation next year, aiming to help one million young people "fulfil their potential" and "bring the welfare bill down in the long-term.
7 Articles
7 Articles
UK will reduce welfare costs by next election, Healey says
British finance minister John Healey said the government would lower its spending on welfare benefits by the time of the next election as he sought to address one of the big public spending challenges that remain after his first budget announcement.
The Independent
The Independent (US)Healey insists he will bring welfare bill down despite delaying decisions
The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) predicted that the total cost of health-related benefits will exceed £100bn by the end of the decade, with three quarters of the payments forecast to be paid to working-age adults
Healey promises ‘reduction’ in welfare spending before election
John Healey has promised there will be a “reduction” in the welfare bill before the next election despite the Budget not addressing huge payments on benefits and pensions. Healey told broadcasters on Thursday morning that the government was “ready to take some pretty tough decisions” to rein in spending although he echoed his predecessors in [...]
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