Andy Burnham, leader of the Labour Party in Greater Manchester, is signalling a significant reshaping of welfare policy, particularly with regard to mental health claims, as he aims to reduce the escalating welfare expenditure under his governance.
In an interview with BBC Panorama, the Makerfield MP emphasised his intention to make benefit claims more stringent, signalling a commitment to “get really serious” about cutting the welfare bill. This stance has sparked tensions within the Labour Party, as some MPs express concern over tougher welfare conditions.
Burnham explained, “It’s about changing the nature of the support and making some of the support conditional upon people taking opportunities that are presented in front of them.”
This announcement coincides with the Timms Review’s interim findings on Personal Independence Payment (PIP), identifying that the current system is no longer fit for purpose, especially in its capacity to accommodate fluctuating mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and ADHD.
According to Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) data, there are currently four million PIP claimants, with 1.56 million (39 per cent) presenting mental health-related conditions.
The Independent reports that these findings point towards likely forthcoming changes to how mental health conditions are treated within the benefits system.
Addressing the welfare bill, Burnham stated, “Let me just say something more though about what you’re driving at, which is the welfare bill. I think we’ve got to get really serious as a country at getting the welfare bill down.”
While specific strategies remain undisclosed, this initiative marks a continued challenge for Labour, coming after Keir Starmer’s attempt to reduce the welfare bill by £5 billion met with strong resistance from within the party, including opposition led by Burnham’s own supporters.
Burnham further committed, “Whatever political capital I have, I will put in to fixing broken social care and I would not want to leave office without having brought in the substantial change.”
In contrast, Helen Whately, the Conservative shadow work and pensions secretary, accused Labour of failing to address welfare fraud effectively, asserting that billions of pounds are lost annually due to abuse and gaming of the system.
She stated, “After two years in office, Labour is failing on welfare reform, failing on welfare savings and so far they have been failing to stop welfare fraud too. The Conservatives would take the hard choices Labour are flunking. We will make £23bn of savings and deliver a welfare state that is there for those who genuinely need it.”
The discussion aired on BBC Panorama on Monday, available on BBC One and iPlayer.