Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) claimants risk having their benefits reduced after a Monday announcement, as Sir Keir Starmer is expected to resign following Andy Burnham's thumping victory in the Makerfield byelection. Burnham has indicated he is not squeamish about cutting welfare to boost defence spending.
Sir Keir Starmer's Expected Resignation
Sir Keir Starmer is set to announce his resignation on Monday, according to reports from the Observer, Guardian, and Sky News. The decision follows Burnham's overwhelming victory in the Makerfield byelection, which has reshaped the political landscape and paved the way for Burnham to potentially become Prime Minister.
The timing of Burnham's entry into Number 10 remains uncertain, with questions over whether there will be a coronation or a leadership challenge, possibly involving Wes Streeting. However, Burnham has already outlined his stance on welfare cuts.
Burnham's Welfare Cuts Stance
Burnham confirmed to the Times that he is "not squeamish" about cutting welfare to redirect funds to defence, following John Healey's resignation two weeks ago. He stated, "The world has changed, it’s obvious to anybody who looks at it, and we are going to have to change the assumptions on which we’ve been working."
He added, "I would say it’s defence and security but also resilience. I am not squeamish about saying that the plan would be to reduce the welfare bill. Not at all." Burnham emphasized that this would not be a traditional approach of crude cuts, but rather a move towards a more preventative state that invests in supporting people into work.
Preventative State Approach
Burnham explained, "It is not the traditional Westminster way of just crude cuts, short-term cuts that then create a backlash and create more political turbulence. 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."
He criticized 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."
Defence Spending and Procurement
Under Burnham's vision, defence spending would provide "maximum social return." He expressed frustration with Britain's procurement approach, stating, "To me the fact that Britain has not had a very strong intentional approach to British procurement is crazy. As mayor of Greater Manchester I have deliberately fought against the system to have our buses built in Falkirk and Ballymena. I see other contracts going off to China."
The potential welfare cuts under a Burnham premiership have sparked concerns among DWP claimants, who face reductions in their benefits as part of a broader strategy to boost defence and resilience.
