Burnham says he wants to cut welfare bill 'as soon as we possibly can'

Key Points:

• Andy Burnham expressed a desire to reduce the welfare bill "as soon as we possibly can" but did not commit to achieving cuts before the next general election, citing a focus on supporting sustainable employment rather than "crude cuts."
• Welfare spending is projected to rise from £353 billion this year to £431 billion by 2031/32, driven mainly by health-related and pensioner benefits, with no clear government timetable for reducing this expenditure.
• Chancellor John Healey indicated plans to reduce the benefits bill "in a Labour way," but Treasury sources and Downing Street clarified there is no specific promise to cut welfare spending before the 2029 election.
• Labour is conducting reviews on disability benefits and youth employment, aiming to reform welfare policy following a previous failed attempt by former PM Keir Starmer to restrict eligibility for some health-related benefits.
• Critics, including Conservatives and economic experts, have debated the government's approach, with some warning that insufficient action on welfare spending could harm economic and national security, while others see potential market approval if a credible plan for restraint emerges.