Politics
Healey pledges welfare bill cut with 'tough' approach to young jobseekers
October 29, 2026 at 08:26 AM
Coverage
3 reports · over 2 hours
TGThe Guardian
Healey vows to cut welfare bill before next election with ‘tough’ approach to young people
(opens the publisher’s site)
BNBBC News
Chancellor says government has 'moral duty' to help young people out of work
(opens the publisher’s site)
BNBBC News
John Healey promises reduction in welfare bill before next election
(opens the publisher’s site)Chancellor John Healey has pledged a reduction in the benefits bill before the next election, with tougher conditions for young people who refuse job and training offers.
- Healey told the BBC the welfare system is "unsustainable" and that there will be a "reduction in the benefits bill" before the next election.
- The Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts welfare spending will rise to £431bn by 2031-32, up from £353bn this year.
- Healey said the government has a "moral duty" to help almost one million young people out of work, education or training.
- The budget provides £100 energy bill payments to households in council tax bands A to D, funded by a tax on bank profits.