Andy Burnham has ruled out making Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefit cuts that would cause a 'backlash' and 'turbulence'. The new Labour MP for Makerfield is widely anticipated to be the next Prime Minister after Sir Keir Starmer resigned.
Burnham's stance on welfare
Speaking to the I newspaper, Burnham said: 'I am not squeamish about saying that the plan would be to reduce the welfare bill. Not at all.' However, he qualified this by stating: 'It is not the traditional Westminster way of just crude cuts, short-term cuts that then create a backlash and create more political turbulence.'
He emphasised a preventative approach: 'It is actually going to do things that will reduce the benefits bill, moving towards a more preventative state that makes the right investments to support people into work.'
Preventative state vision
Burnham criticised the current system, saying: 'We do not have a preventative, productive, growth-enabling state, we are doing the opposite. We end up dealing with crises and spending huge amounts of money supporting people in a crisis situation rather than into much much earlier intervention to a more positive outcome.'
Upcoming policy announcements
Burnham will begin setting out his policies next week with a series of speeches, starting with the economy and devolution, marking a symbolic shift from Starmer's government. According to The Guardian, he is considering appointing Ed Miliband as chancellor to challenge Treasury orthodoxy but has not made a final decision. Birmingham MP Shabana Mahmood is expected to remain at the Home Office.
