Keir Starmer, this is why I know for a fact your benefits cuts crusade is all talk

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s recent talk about cutting benefits is being criticized as nothing more than a political trick. Critics argue that it’s an attempt to convince the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) that Labour can manage the country’s finances responsibly by finding savings.

However, the suggestion is that Labour has no real intention of reducing the benefits bill. Instead, the party is accused of using this rhetoric to create the illusion of fiscal responsibility, particularly as the number of people claiming disability benefits like Personal Independence Payment (PIP) continues to rise, and economic inactivity remains a significant issue in the UK.

The author, a former minister at the Department for Work and Pensions, recalls the challenges of reducing welfare dependency during their time in government. They highlight how Labour consistently opposed efforts to reform the benefits system, even when those reforms successfully helped thousands of people find work and achieve record employment rates. The author also points out that Labour figures, including current Chancellor Rachel Reeves, actively campaigned against measures like benefit sanctions and conditions for receiving welfare support.

The argument is that Labour is inherently opposed to cutting benefits, and any claims to the contrary are misleading. The author suggests that Labour’s real goal is to convince the OBR of its fiscal credibility, rather than addressing the growing benefits bill. They predict that under Labour, the welfare budget will continue to expand, especially as the UK economy struggles. Businesses are reportedly closing at an alarming rate, and many are planning to cut jobs due to increased National Insurance contributions, which could further strain the benefits system.

The author criticizes Rachel Reeves for failing to find effective solutions to the economic challenges. Reeves has reportedly tried various approaches, from seeking growth ideas from government departments to attempting to secure funding from China, but with little success. The proposed benefit cuts are seen as a desperate attempt to fill a financial gap, with the author warning that Labour is more likely to raise taxes on working people than to reduce welfare spending.

In conclusion, the author warns that Labour’s policies could lead to further economic decline, with more businesses closing and more people relying on benefits. They argue that Labour’s approach will ultimately harm the working population while failing to address the root causes of the growing welfare bill.