John Healey Provokes Anger as He Dodges Massive £350 Billion Welfare Target Again
John Healey is facing fresh Budget fury after suggesting the spiralling benefits bill won’t start to come down before the next general election. The Chancellor said the runaway £350 billion cost “will come down under Labour” but refused to say whether it will do so in this parliament.
TL;DR
- John Healey is facing criticism for suggesting the £350 billion benefits bill will not start to decrease before the next general election.
- The Chancellor stated the bill "will come down under Labour" but declined to specify if this would occur within the current parliament.
- Healey claims savings timelines were never set and previous reporting on this was incorrect.
- The Office for Budget Responsibility has warned that sickness and disability benefits could cost £100 billion annually by the end of the decade.
- The Conservatives allege that Labour's fiscal plans have created a £49 billion "black hole," potentially requiring significant tax increases.
- A former economic advisor described the budget as "small beer" and insufficient to address market concerns about government policies.