The new Work and Pensions Secretary has issued a stark warning to the UK's 24 million benefit recipients, stating he will not rule out further cuts to the welfare budget.
'Not Ruling Anything Out' Says DWP Boss
In a significant statement to a cross-party committee of MPs, Pat McFadden declared he was "not ruling out anything" regarding potential future reductions. The senior Labour minister, who has been in the role for three months, argued that pre-emptively closing off options would be unwise.
"I have only been in the job for three months, and if I start ruling things out it will just close doors in the future, so I am not ruling anything out," McFadden told the committee on Tuesday, 3rd December 2025.
PIP Review Must Not Increase Spending
Mr McFadden specifically addressed the ongoing Timms Review, commissioned by the government and led by Sir Stephen Timms, which is analysing the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) system. He made it clear that the review's purpose "cannot be to come up with more expenditure on [PIP]."
He emphasised that any recommendations must fit within the government's strict fiscal rules and existing budgetary limits. "It has to work within the budgetary parameters of the rest of the Government, within the fiscal rules that the Government abide by," he stated.
Political Backlash and Calls for a Different Approach
The comments have prompted immediate concern from opposition parties and campaigners. Steve Darling of the Liberal Democrats told The Independent that many would be worried by the Secretary of State's refusal to rule out a repeat of last summer's benefits debacle.
Darling criticised both the previous Conservative administration and the current government, stating: "Ministers don’t seem to understand that hitting disabled people who are already in work makes their employment prospects worse, not better."
He urged ministers to focus on fixing root causes, such as repairing health and care services, rather than cutting support. The warning from the DWP chief follows Chancellor Rachel Reeves facing criticism for her recent budget, dubbed the "Benefits Street Budget" by opponents.
The future of the UK's welfare bill, which supports millions, now appears under intense scrutiny as the new government seeks to balance the books.
