Labour leader Keir Starmer has been accused of lacking the necessary "backbone" to address escalating benefit costs, following revelations that planned welfare curbs will be excluded from the upcoming King's Speech. Government insiders have indicated that No. 10 has informed the Department for Work and Pensions that there will be no space for such measures in the legislative package expected in May.
Political Manoeuvring Amidst Growing Anxiety
This strategic decision effectively avoids another potential confrontation with restive Labour MPs, who have previously rebelled against welfare savings. However, it significantly dampens hopes that substantial reforms could be implemented before the next general election. The manoeuvring highlights increasing anxiety within Downing Street regarding Sir Keir's political standing, compounded by dire opinion polls and internal jockeying by rivals.
Ongoing Reviews and Shelved Proposals
Despite the omission from the King's Speech, the government has launched two major welfare reviews expected to report later this year. Labour veteran Stephen Timms is examining Personal Independence Payment (PIP), following last year's thwarted efforts to achieve £5 billion in savings due to a substantial Labour rebellion.
Concurrently, the government's work tsar, Alan Milburn, is investigating potential tweaks to benefits aimed at reducing the number of young people not in employment, education, or training (NEETs). According to reports, proposals for an "unemployment insurance" scheme, which would have provided higher benefits for those with consistent work histories, have been shelved.
Ministerial Concerns and Public Expectations
One minister expressed concerns to the Times, stating, "Welfare reform is going to be very difficult with the back benches, and the closer you get to a general election the less you want to do the difficult stuff... Largely, the public wants to see welfare reform, and we do need to show delivery on that. This is not showing that reform is a priority."
Government Insistence on Future Action
A source close to Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden has insisted that reforms are still proceeding within this Parliament, with legislation to be brought forward as soon as practicable. A Government spokeswoman clarified, "Final decisions on the contents of the King's Speech have not been made. We're already fixing the broken welfare system we inherited so we get Britain working, including through reforms to Motability and Universal Credit, as well as the launch of the Youth Guarantee. We have commissioned Alan Milburn to look at how we can tackle the number of young people out of work and will set out further legislative plans in due course."
Opposition Criticism and Political Fallout
Tory frontbencher Ric Holden condemned the decision as "catastrophic for Britain," warning that opposition parties lack both the "plan and the backbone to grip welfare." He asserted, "The Labour, Lib Dems, Green, Reform UK welfare uniparty are all too weak to take the difficult but correct decisions. All have surrendered to increasing welfare, including ending the two child benefit cap."
The situation underscores the complex political landscape surrounding welfare reform, with the government balancing backbench pressures, public expectations, and electoral timelines, while Sir Keir Starmer faces intensified scrutiny over his leadership and policy priorities.
