Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch is launching a policy document titled Welfare That Works, detailing plans to cut welfare spending by £36bn. According to advance extracts from her speech, the proposals aim to prevent voter surprises and focus heavily on reductions to sickness and disability benefits.
Badenoch Defends Welfare Reform Plans
Badenoch will state that the publication ensures voters experience no nasty surprises if a Tory government is elected, contrasting with policies such as cuts to winter fuel payments or the family farm tax. More than a third of the proposed savings stem from sickness and disability benefit cuts. Badenoch argues that working-age benefit spending is crushing the economy and asserts there is a fundamental difference between Conservative and Labour approaches to welfare dependency.
She will argue that while a safety net is essential for individuals with serious illnesses and disabilities, millions can contribute despite facing challenges. Citing examples of individuals achieving success despite physical and neurological conditions, Badenoch contends that current welfare systems foster a destructive mindset by defining people by what they cannot do.
Political Reaction and Schedule
The Labour Party has heavily criticized the proposals, with officials describing the planned welfare reductions as a charter for human misery. As reported by World news | The Guardian, the government is separately preparing to release a report from Alan Milburn focused on evaluating what young people can achieve.
The political schedule for the day includes an agenda where Andy Burnham chairs a political cabinet, Kemi Badenoch delivers her speech on the £36bn benefits reduction plan, and Michael Marra delivers a major address as Scottish Labour leader. Downing Street will also hold a lobby briefing alongside Commons questions for justice secretary Alex Norris.
