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Healey and Burnham Push to Cut Welfare Benefits Bill

By Drooid · Oct 30, 2026 · How we work

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Summary

Chancellor John Healey and Prime Minister Andy Burnham said they want the benefits bill reduced.
The government has not set a timetable for any benefits cuts.
Opposition parties criticized the budget for lacking welfare-reform detail and delaying cut decisions.
Official forecasts project welfare spending will rise by £79 bn over the next few years.
BBC Verify examined the budget numbers and the government's options for lowering welfare costs.

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Chancellor John Healey and Prime Minister Andy Burnham said they want the benefits bill reduced.
The government has not set a timetable for any benefits cuts.
Opposition parties criticized the budget for lacking welfare-reform detail and delaying cut decisions.
Official forecasts project welfare spending will rise by £79 bn over the next few years.
BBC Verify examined the budget numbers and the government's options for lowering welfare costs.