Kemi Badenoch Accuses Sir Keir Starmer of Abandoning Welfare Reform Agenda
Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, has accused Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer of having 'given up' on welfare reform, highlighting the absence of a welfare bill in this month's King's Speech. Badenoch claimed welfare costs have risen by £20 billion since Labour assumed power, though official figures indicate a similar increase over two years, with £10 billion attributed to the state pension.
Addressing Prime Minister's Questions, Badenoch linked Sir Keir's perceived inaction to internal party struggles, stating, 'The reason why there is no welfare bill is because the prime minister has given up, and he's given up because they have given up on him.'
Badenoch further referenced messages from Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden, disclosed in the latest Mandelson files. These communications allegedly show McFadden stating privately, 'every meeting I have with Labour MPs is about who we can tax so we can pay more benefits,' a sentiment Badenoch suggested Labour would not express publicly.
Sir Keir Starmer countered, asserting that Labour inherited a 'broken welfare system' from the previous Conservative administration. He outlined Labour's welfare reform efforts, which he claimed focus on moving people into employment by 'balancing universal credit,' introducing a 'right to try' for opportunities, and providing 'record funding on apprenticeships.'
He pointed out that 'apprenticeship starts fell by 40% on their watch' and highlighted Labour's youth guarantee, offering £3,000 grants to companies hiring 18-24 year olds unemployed for six months or more, alongside 300,000 work experience placements. Sir Keir also cited economic growth, reduced immigration, and child poverty reduction under his government.
Badenoch concluded by questioning Sir Keir's authority to enact reforms, stating, 'He has no authority and we know why - his MPs will not let him do anything.' Sir Keir retorted that the welfare bill 'soared by £88 billion on their watch,' attributing failures to face-to-face assessment contracts signed by the current shadow chancellor during their tenure.
