The work and pensions secretary has not ruled out making further cuts to the welfare budget despite already unveiling reforms designed to save £5bn.
Liz Kendall said she had made the changes – which will see the eligibility criteria for disability benefits narrowed – because she wanted to “tackle a failing system that is failing the people who depend on benefits”.
Politics live: Kendall ‘cross’ about welfare system
In an interview with Sky News’ political editor Beth Rigby, the cabinet minister denied the reforms announced today were just a “drop in the ocean”.
She said she had announced a “substantial package” – and the changes would also be aimed at getting people into work to stop the overall bill ballooning to a projected £76bn by 2030.
Ms Kendall said they would deal with a “broken assessment process”, fix “terrible financial incentives” that force people on to welfare, and would focus benefits “on those in greatest need”.
“It’s providing the largest ever package of employment support,” she told Rigby.
Pressed again on whether she would rule out more savings over the course of this parliament, Ms Kendall replied: “I’m not saying that.
“I am suggesting we talk about the proposals we are actually making, and not those which we aren’t.”
What changes are being made?
Earlier today, Ms Kendall announced a raft of reforms designed to cut the government’s expenditure on long-term sickness and disability benefits for working-age people, which has risen by £20bn since the pandemic.
High on the agenda were personal independence payments (PIP), which provide money for people who have extra care needs…
