Andy Burnham faced Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch at Prime Minister's Questions for the first time on Wednesday, where he was immediately pressed on the government's plans to cut the disability benefits bill. The Prime Minister defended his position, stating he was determined to reduce welfare spending, amid reports that changes to Personal Independence Payments (PIP) could be delayed until 2027.
PIP review and potential cuts
Personal Independence Payments are currently under review, with experts concluding that the benefit, paid to over four million Britons, is not fit for purpose. The review is due to report its findings to the Government in November, but reports suggest any cuts are now set to be postponed until 2027. Conditions such as depression and anxiety could be targeted, following a surge in claims over recent years.
The surge in PIP claims this decade is largely linked to younger people with conditions like anxiety and depression. These conditions could be targeted by cuts, according to reports. The Prime Minister's first PMQs appearance came after Parliament's summer recess.
Burnham's response to Badenoch
During the session, Badenoch pressed Burnham on the welfare bill. In response, Burnham told the House of Commons: "I was quite clear in my statement (on Tuesday) about the need to get the welfare bill down. I do not want to be a Prime Minister that sees a situation where we have so many people in their 20s not in education, employment or training. I can't defend that."
He added: "And I want to change that by giving more support to young people so that we start investing in their success rather than paying for failure as we have done for many years under successive governments. Now this seems to me to be one area where we can both engage in problem solving rather than point scoring and I hope that the right honourable lady (Badenoch) will take up my offer on that point."
Future of welfare reforms
The Prime Minister's comments indicate a focus on youth support as a key element of welfare reform. The delay of PIP cuts until 2027 suggests the government is taking time to review the benefit system, with a report due in November. The outcome of the review will shape future policy on disability benefits, affecting millions of claimants.
