Plans to reform Britain’s soaring disability bill has been shelved, after a Government-led review was told it did not need to identify any savings.
The review had been ordered by Sir Keir Starmer to appease Labour backbenchers rebelling over the plan to save up to £5billion by limiting access to personal independence payments (Pip).
While the reforms were scrapped anyway, the review, led by Welfare Minister Sir Stephen Timms, is not expected to find any savings from the ever-rising costs of Pip, reports The Times.
A government source told The Times the review set an “outer limit” on the amount Pip spending could rise by and that savings could be made within that, adding that ministers had always been clear that the purpose of the review was not to save money.
The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) estimated last year that Pip spending would hit £34billion by the end of the decade.
Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Helen Whately said: “Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves have said they need to make welfare savings.
“But now we see the terms of reference for their review of sickness benefits, and the truth is plain to see: Labour are too weak to make tough decisions.”
A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions told The Times: “We want a welfare state that is there for those who need it and supports people into work, while delivering fairness to the taxpayer.
“And that’s why we’re launching the Timms review to make sure Pip is fair and fit for the future.
“We’re shifting our focus from welfare to work, skills and opportunities so more people can move out of poverty and into good, secure jobs as part of the plan for change.”
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Chris Hope says rise of ‘five party politics’ could provide lifeline for the Tories
Christopher Hope has said “five party politics” could provide an opportunity for the Conservatives.
It comes as a recent YouGov poll had Reform UK on 27 points, with Labour, the Conservatives, the Green Party and Liberal Democrats within just two points of each other.
GB News’ Political Editor said the situation was “extraordinary, and appears to present an opportunity to the Conservatives.”
GB NEWS MEMBERS CAN READ CHOPPER’S ANALYSIS HERE.
Zarah Sultana says Your Party wants to ‘run Government’
The Your Party co-leaders Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana have reconciled
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PA
Zarah Sultana has said Your Party is a “a 10, 20, 30-year project” as she claimed the party wanted to “run the Government” after early divisions with her co-leader, Jeremy Corbyn.
The Coventry South MP said the party was a “socialist, democratic and member-led” group ahead of its inaugural conference in November.
She told the BBC: “I’m in politics because of a desire to change people’s lives for the better, and that means winning state power, that means actually running government.
“We’re building a party of the left that can win power and deliver justice.”