Burnham to Unveil His First Welfare Shake-Up as MPs Warn on Cuts
Andy Burnham is expected to set out his first major welfare changes on Tuesday, making some benefits conditional and tightening eligibility, as part of a drive to cut a rising bill. Labour MPs have already warned the Prime Minister against “punitive” cuts, setting up the first serious clash of his premiership. He has said Britain must “get really serious” about welfare while getting more young people into work.
The plans, expected to focus on sickness and incapacity benefits and on youth claimants, revive the sort of internal revolt that dogged his predecessor, whose attempt to trim welfare provoked a major rebellion. Commentators have warned the changes could become Mr Burnham’s “winter-fuel moment”. Ministers argue the bill is unsustainable and that work is the best route out of poverty; critics fear hardship for the vulnerable and question whether real savings can be found. With Parliament in recess, the argument will play out in the media and the party. Watch the detail, the costings and the scale of any backbench revolt.