Kemi Badenoch says welfare bill is ‘crushing our economy’ as Tories pledge to slash £36 billion

Kemi Badenoch says the welfare bill is “crushing our economy” as the Conservatives set out plans to cut annual welfare spending by £36 billion. The proposals target sickness and disability payments, support for some families and access to benefits for certain foreign nationals; the party argues the changes would encourage more people to work.

The Conservatives estimate that reforming sickness and disability allowances would save £13.7 billion, while restricting benefits for foreign nationals without EU settled status would save £9.5 billion. Reintroducing the two-child benefit cap is projected to save £3.1 billion, and replacing some cash payments for children with mild learning or behavioural difficulties with other support would save £2.8 billion. The Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts welfare spending will reach £431 billion by 2031-32; government reviews on disability benefits and young people not in education, employment or training are due to report soon.