Andy Burnham, the newly elected MP for Makerfield who is expected to replace Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister in mid-July, has made his first significant Department for Work and Pensions decision by appointing James Purnell as his chief of staff. Purnell, a former New Labour work and pensions secretary under Gordon Brown, will play a key role in shaping the government's welfare agenda as Burnham faces the challenge of a ballooning DWP budget.
Purnell's welfare reform record
During his tenure as work and pensions secretary in December 2008, Purnell advocated for stringent conditionality in the welfare system. In a parliamentary debate, he stated: 'We want virtually everyone claiming benefits to be preparing for, or looking for, work. It is a fair deal—more support, in return for higher expectations.' He highlighted that only 5% of incapacity benefit stock claimants voluntarily took up support from the Pathways to Work programme, and only around one in four lone parents accepted help from the New Deal. Purnell emphasised that 'conditionality backed with a regime of sanctions improves outcomes,' referencing the Gregg report.
Role and reaction
Benefits and Work, a disability forum supporting DWP claimants, noted that as chief of staff, Purnell would not directly decide policy but would influence which policies receive government attention and how ministers are pressured to deliver specific outcomes. The appointment drew criticism from some claimants, with one responding: 'Wow, so blunt, what planet are these cruel, unempathetic people living on?!'
Chancellor's advice
Chancellor Rachel Reeves, when asked on Sky News about advice for her successor, said: 'I am not sure anyone wants my advice, but my advice would be: you’ve got a brilliant set of officials at the Treasury who will back you if you are clear about what you want to do, and I’ve been very clear about what I wanted to achieve as chancellor.' She cited restoring economic stability, inducing public and private investment, and reforming regulatory and planning systems as her priorities, expressing pride in her record and hope that future chancellors continue her approach.
