Pat McFadden has issued his first update on Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefit cuts since Andy Burnham became Prime Minister. McFadden was reappointed as DWP Secretary in Burnham's Cabinet shake-up, confirmed by the new Labour Party leader.
McFadden's Statement and Welfare Reform Plans
Writing on X, McFadden said: “I’m honoured to have been reappointed as secretary of state for work and pensions. As the prime minister said, our mission as a government must be to support people into work and spread opportunity.” He then paved the way for DWP cuts, stating: “That’s how we’ll reform the welfare system in a way that is fair & sustainable.”
Upcoming Reviews: Milburn and Timms
McFadden will oversee the final report of the Milburn review, due in autumn, and the Timms Review by Stephen Timms, which explores changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP). The Timms Review has already filed an interim report, finding PIP is "not fit for purpose." PIP faces cuts and reforms amid concerns over the ballooning DWP bill, a challenge Burnham must address.
Burnham's First Full Day and Cabinet Appointments
Burnham's first full day as Prime Minister is Tuesday, when he meets his new cabinet. On Monday, he named his team: John Healey as Chancellor, Ed Miliband as Foreign Secretary, Wes Streeting as Defence Minister, Shabana Mahmood as Home Secretary, and Angela Rayner as Housing Secretary.
Energy Bill Policy and Funding
The government announced a 6-month VAT cut on domestic energy bills from October, saving households an average of £45 per year. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the policy will be funded by reallocating £1.8bn over three years originally allocated for digital ID, a decision "scored by the OBR." Reynolds said savings for digital ID would have been found otherwise, but it was "a legitimate decision to remove that pressure."
