Healey vows to cut welfare bill before next election with ‘tough’ approach to young people
Summary
Chancellor John Healey said the government would reduce welfare spending before the next election, while rejecting crude cuts and promising more support and conditions for young people who can work or train. He said the government would announce reforms after reviews of youth employment and disability benefits. The budget included energy-bill support, while a thinktank said its measures did not address major economic challenges.Key Facts
- The Office for Budget Responsibility projected total welfare spending would rise from £334 billion last year to £431 billion by 2030.
- About half of projected welfare spending goes to pensioners and a quarter to sickness and disability benefits, according to the article.
- Healey said young people would be expected to accept offers of support to find work or training.
- The government is awaiting the Milburn review of young people and work and the Timms review of disability benefits before setting out welfare changes.
- The budget included £100 energy payments for up to 20 million households in council tax bands A to D.
- The budget also scrapped standing charges on gas bills, according to the article.
- The Resolution Foundation said the budget’s household-cost measures would not stop energy bills from rising above levels seen during the previous energy shock.
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