Healey Pledges to Cut £353 Billion Benefits Bill Before Next Election
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Oct 29
Healey Pledges to Cut £353 Billion Benefits Bill Before Next Election
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Oct 29
Summary
John Healey said Labour will reduce the benefits bill before the next general election, rejecting “crude cuts” after critics said his first Budget lacked concrete welfare reforms.
£353 billion of welfare spending is forecast for this year—up £19 billion—with the OBR projecting £431 billion by 2031/32, driven mainly by health-related and pensioner benefits.
November reviews on disability benefits and young people not in education, employment or training are due next month, with a government response by year-end, a policy paper after that and legislation next year.
Opposition parties used the Budget to attack Labour’s approach: Conservatives called the system “out of control,” while Reform UK said the plan failed to tackle a ballooning welfare bill.
Healey argued the long-term answer is getting nearly 1 million young people into work or training, framing welfare reform as both a fiscal and economic priority.