Chancellor John Healey has pledged a reduction in the nation's welfare bill ahead of the next general election, in comments made to BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
Healey stated that the government has a "moral duty" to help young people out of unemployment. His remarks follow criticism from the Conservative party, which accused Labour of being "addicted to welfare," and Reform UK, which asserted that the recent Budget did not address the "ballooning" benefits bill.
According to the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), government spending on welfare is forecast to increase this year to £353 billion, with a further rise to £431 billion projected for 2031/32. Healey emphasized that any adjustments to welfare spending would be implemented "in a Labour way."