Burnham refuses to name welfare spending cuts target

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 4 Nov, 22:57 · Archive

Andy Burnham and his government refused to commit to specific welfare spending reductions, despite the benefits bill forecast to rise significantly.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham refused to commit to a specific welfare spending reduction target, despite pressure from Conservative MPs during parliamentary questions. When asked by ITV News how much he wanted to see the cost of welfare fall by, Burnham said he preferred to focus on getting people into work rather than pursuing cuts "a different way". He argued that announcing a numerical target risked repeating failed political approaches.

Deputy First Secretary Louise Haigh similarly declined to set a timeline for reducing the benefits bill during Deputy PMQs. When pressed by Conservative Deputy Leader Alex Burghart on whether the government could commit to reduce welfare spending as part of a ten-year plan, Haigh said only that "we are taking steps already to bring the welfare bill down, and we'll take further". She outlined the government's approach as making support "more conditional on taking up opportunities, ensuring young people get help they need earlier, tackling the long-term drivers of welfare spending, including high housing costs".

The government's reluctance to name targets comes as the Office for Budget Responsibility forecast significant increases in welfare spending. Total benefits expenditure is projected to rise from around £334bn in 2025 to £413bn in 2030, driven largely by pensioner spending and the triple lock on pensions. Some forecasts suggest welfare spending could reach £431bn by 2032, representing a rise of nearly 30 per cent.

Burghart argued the government had failed to take meaningful steps to address the issue at the first Budget. He pointed to official figures showing the welfare bill would rise in each year of the parliament. The government said a full policy paper on welfare would be set out next year, while a review on youth unemployment led by Alan Milburn is due to report within weeks.

How it is being reported

• Labour REFUSES to commit to slashing ballooning benefits bill over next decade during PMQs grillingLabour have refused to commit to slashing Britain’s ballooning benefits bill over the next 10 years. The revelation came amid a heated clash at Deputy PMQs between Conservative Deputy Leader Alex Burghart and First Secretary of State Louise Haigh. After demanding an answer on cutting the welfare bill in this Parliament, Mr Burghart asked if the Government could "commit to reduce this record welfare bill, the highest welfare bill ever, as part of its 10-year plan?" "We are taking steps already to bring the welfare bill down, and we'll take further," Ms Haigh insisted, but failed to set a date…GB News · 4 Nov, 22:48
• Haigh refuses to say when Labour will ‘get welfare bill down’Andy Burnham’s deputy Louise Haigh refused to say when Labour will “get the welfare bill down” while adding the government would aim to “invest in success” when asked whether more taxes would cover increases in the benefits bill. Haigh, who is referred to as the Prime Minister’s “enforcer” and stood in for Deputy Prime Minister’s [...]City AM · 4 Nov, 13:58
• Burnham insists he wants to reduce welfare bill but will not put a number on itAndy Burnham insisted he would “stick to my guns” on his approach to addressing the issue with “radical changes” to the welfare system.Evening Standard · 3 Nov, 16:25

In this story: Andy Burnham · Louise Haigh · John Healey · Alex Burghart · Alan Milburn · Labour · Office for Budget Responsibility · Britain

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log