Fri, 14 Mar 2025

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 Rachel Reeves insists changes to welfare needed

Labour MPs have been expressing unease about the proposed cuts to welfare, ahead of announcements next week.

* Welfare bill to increase by £35bn over next 4 years, reaching £100bn
* Government plans to cut welfare budget, with detail to be unveiled next week
* Labour MPs have expressed concerns and unease about potential cuts
* Some MPs say proposed changes to payments for disabled people would be "unacceptable"
* Chancellor's comments on need to "get a grip" on welfare bill were made amid concerns from Labour MPs about impact of expected cuts
* Rachel Reeves has insisted that the current system is not working for taxpayers or recipients
* Sir Keir Starmer has called the current benefits system unsustainable, indefensible and unfair
* Some Labour MPs have expressed worries about proposals for reassessments for benefits and helping those who face difficult circumstances
* There are also calls to relax the Chancellor's fiscal rules to stave off painful cuts
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