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Burnham Rejects Cutting Housing Benefits to Fund Defence

9/10/2026

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Burnham Rejects Cuts

Prime Minister Andy Burnham told the House of Commons on 9 September 2026 he will not fund increased defence spending by cutting housing benefits.
Former Labour defence secretary John Healey was appointed defence minister, highlighting his strong commitment to national defence.
Burnham said defence money must come from welfare reforms, not housing-benefit cuts.
The proposal suggested cutting welfare spending by tackling nearly one-million NEETs instead of housing benefits.

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Burnham Rejects Cuts

Prime Minister Andy Burnham told the House of Commons on 9 September 2026 he will not fund defence spending by cutting housing benefits.
He warned Conservative proposal would fund defence using £4 billion from housing benefit and £3.1 billion by reinstating two-child benefit cap, which he calls ‘crude cuts’.
Cutting £4 billion from housing benefit would cause homelessness and put children in accommodation, he warned.

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Burnham Rejects Cuts

Prime Minister Andy Burnham told the House of Commons on 9 September 2026 he will not fund increased defence spending by cutting housing benefits.
Former Labour defence secretary John Healey was appointed defence minister, highlighting his strong commitment to national defence.
Burnham said defence money must come from welfare reforms, not housing-benefit cuts.
The proposal suggested cutting welfare spending by tackling nearly one-million NEETs instead of housing benefits.

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