Defense Secretary Wes Streeting stated on Friday that Prime Minister Andy Burnham will avoid making arbitrary cuts to Britain's rising social security budget. Speaking to the BBC Today program, Streeting defended the government against mixed messaging regarding welfare, arguing that previous attempts to reduce spending failed due to a lack of a thought-through plan.
Streeting recalled his experience as Health Secretary under Keir Starmer, noting that after the last general election, the government moved too fast with an arbitrary figure for cuts. He explained that when the public saw how these measures would impact disabled people, even those who initially supported reducing the welfare bill rejected the specific approach. According to Streeting, setting arbitrary targets without a sustainable and responsible strategy causes plans to collapse, a lesson observed under both Conservative and Labour administrations.
The urgency of the issue is highlighted by sharp increases in spending on health and disability-related benefits since the pandemic. The bill for working-age disability benefits in England and Wales has risen from £14bn in 2020 to £25bn in 2026. In response, former Health Secretary Alan Milburn is leading a report on supporting one million young people not in employment or education, due for publication in November. Additionally, the government awaits recommendations from minister Stephen Timms regarding disability benefit reform.
The debate follows a previous attempt under Starmer to reduce welfare spending, which was scrapped after a revolt among Labour MPs. That episode was viewed as damaging to Starmer's authority and indicative of a leadership disconnect with rank-and-file members. Recent days have seen conflicting statements from ministers; while Chancellor Rachel Healey told the BBC that reductions would be made in a "Labour way," Treasury officials later clarified that no specific timetable has been set for bringing down the bill within this parliament.
Streeting emphasized that while there is agreement on the need to reduce the welfare bill, it must be done correctly. Conversely, Deputy Conservative Chairman Matt Vickers criticized the government's priorities on GB News, claiming Healey provided no answers and arguing that the ballooning welfare bill requires immediate attention to properly protect the country.
Sources: Politico Europe.