PIP incapacity advantages cuts stay: Liz Kendall set to slash DWP spending risking Labour fury
Liz Kendall is to outline plans to get more people back to work and cut billions from the rising benefits bill.
Despite major unrest among Labour MPs over the extent of the proposals, Sir Keir Starmer ’s Government is poised to confirm the cuts to welfare today as ministers are under pressure to tackle the growing welfare bill. Working-age adults accounted for over £48billion on health and disability benefits in 2023/24, according to the OBR. By 2029/30 this is forecast to rise to over £75billion.
Downing Street has said there is a “moral and an economic case” for an overhaul and that the changes set to be set out by Ms Kendall, the work and pensions secretary, would put the welfare system “back on a more sustainable path”.
There have been reports that the changes could slash some £5 billion of welfare payments. Unease on the Labour backbenches ahead of the anticipated changes include over potential changes to the personal independence payment (PIP), the main disability benefit.
Ms Kendall sought to reassure MPs on Monday that the reforms would ensure “trust and fairness” in the social security system and make sure benefits are available “for people who need it now, and for years to come”.
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What is expected to happen today?
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall is expected to lay out a welfare overhaul on Tuesday, and promised to ensure there is “trust and fairness” in the system.
She is expected to outline her plans designed to get more people back to work and cut the cost of a benefits bill, described by ministers as “unsustainable”.
Sir Keir Starmer and the Government have been facing mounting backbench disquiet in recent days ahead of the anticipated changes, including over reported potential changes to the personal independence payment (PIP), the main disability benefit.
Why are ministers reforming the system?
Ministers are under pressure to tackle the growing welfare bill in the UK.
Working-age adults accounted for over £48billion on health and disability benefits in 2023/24, according to the OBR. By 2029/30 this is forecast to rise to over £75billion.
Last week Keir Starmer said the current welfare system was “indefensible”. He told MPs at PMQs: “We must and we will reform it… we will protect those who need protecting. We will also support those who can work back to work. Labour is the party of work. We are also the party of equality and fairness.”
Liz Kendall, the Work and Pensions Secretary, also says she wants to get more people in work and is concerned especially about the growing number of young people not in employment, education or training. She has promised to ensure “trust and fairness in the social security system”, saying on Monday.
