Kemi Badenoch criticises welfare system as economic suicide
Kemi Badenoch has branded Britain’s soaring benefits bill “economic suicide” as she unveiled her plan to get millions back into work, reports BritPanorama.
The Conservative Party leader warned that the current welfare system is so skewed that families and businesses are funding individuals who could work but choose not to. She argued that the increase in the benefits bill places an undue burden on those actively contributing to the economy.
In her presentation of the “Get Britain Working Again” plan, Badenoch announced a year-long review led by senior shadow ministers aimed at overhauling the most “complicated and costly” aspects of the welfare system. One significant aspect of this overhaul will focus on revising the rules surrounding sickness and disability benefits, which Badenoch claimed were outdated for modern circumstances.
She highlighted that with “one in four people now self-reporting as disabled,” it is crucial for the government to establish realistic boundaries about what support it can provide sustainably. Badenoch stated, “It’s clear that we are now going to have to draw a line on what health issues the state can support people with” and emphasized the need to redirect many from cash payments to support that encourages employment.
Badenoch’s proposals come in light of criticisms directed at Labour’s recent Budget, which she claims conveys a message that “if you work hard, you get less— but if you stay on benefits, you get more.” Her assertion reflects a growing concern that the welfare culture has expanded to encompass “more than six million” working-age adults relying on benefits, exceeding the population of Norway.
Furthermore, she criticized the government’s current funding methods, asserting that they are detrimental to those contributing to the economy. “We’re funding it by taxing businesses, taxing jobs, taxing wealth creators. This is economic suicide,” she declared, indicating the urgency for reform.
The speech follows widespread backlash towards Labour’s Budget for increasing taxes on workers while significantly increasing welfare spending. The Chancellor’s decisions, including the freezing of income tax thresholds, will reportedly drive almost one million additional people into higher tax brackets.
As part of Labour’s attempts to navigate criticism, party leader Sir Keir Starmer announced a commitment to 55,000 new apprenticeships, allocating £725 million to the initiative. This followed a failed push for a £5 billion cuts package affecting disability benefits, which faced rebellion within the party and was ultimately withdrawn.
In related developments, Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden addressed concerns regarding the objectives of ongoing reviews of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) expenditure, denoting that the reviews should not lead to increased spending.
Amidst these discussions, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has commissioned former Health Secretary Dr. Alan Milburn to investigate the rising number of young people not involved in employment, education, or training (Neets), a situation considered a “massive waste of potential.”
Badenoch’s comprehensive plan signals a pivotal moment in the ongoing discussions surrounding welfare reform as the UK government seeks to address both economic challenges and social responsibilities in a post-pandemic landscape.
In reshaping the welfare narrative, the government’s emphasis on redefining economic support reflects a broader ideological stance, balancing social responsibility with fiscal sustainability. How this approach evolves within the political landscape will be crucial as the nation grapples with its economic recovery and societal obligations.
