Mon, 10 Mar 2025

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 Starmer says benefit system unfair and indefensible

Some Labour MPs urge ministers to tackle the "crisis of economic inactivity", while others oppose cuts.

* Sir Keir Starmer says the current benefits system is "unsustainable", "indefensible" and "unfair"
* He claims it discourages people from working while producing a "spiralling bill"
* Labour MPs express unease over plans to cut the benefits bill, with some warning against "draconian cuts"
* However, some sections of the Parliamentary Labour Party are calling for change and reform
* A group of 36 Labour MPs says the government has a "moral duty" to help long-term sick and disabled people to work if they can
* The Get Britain Working group says the cost of worklessness among the long-term sick and disabled goes "far beyond economic necessity"
* A number of charities, including Disability Rights UK and Citizens Advice, have written to Chancellor Rachel Reeves urging her to "think again about cuts to disability benefits"
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