Kendall: crackdown on benefits

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall delivers a statement to Westminster revealing benefit cuts. This as the UK Government looks to slash the welfare bill.

Kendall:

The government is ambitious for “our people and our country”.

Social security system “holding country back”. Will consult on contributory benefits reform.

Will scrap Work Capability Assessment in 2028.

Government will invest £1bn in employment support.

Kendal says government investing into the NHS to get people back to work. Improving the quality of work and creating more good jobs across the country.

Ministers insist that reform is necessary, with the benefits bill in England and Wales reaching £48billion in 2023-24, and forecast to continue rising to £67billion in 2029-30.

The Government hopes to save up to £6billion from the bill as Chancellor Rachel Reeves struggles to balance the books. This in the face of weak economic growth and mounting debt interest costs.

Watch the full Commons proceedings LIVE right here from 11am, with the statement believed to be due around 12.30pm.