# Healey leaves timing of welfare cuts unclear as markets question fiscal plans

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/chancellor-is-still-floundering-on-when-labour-will-cut-benefits-spending-as-burnhams-ex-adviser-warns-budget-did-nothing-to-reassure-markets-that-books-will-be-balanced/
- Published: 2026-11-01T13:19:27+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-01T13:32:33+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16256577/Chancellor-Labour-cut-benefits-spending-Burnham-Budget.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: Business, Markets, World

## Key points

- Healey gave no timetable for welfare savings.
- Reforms are due to begin next year.
- Sickness and disability benefits could reach £100bn annually.

## Summary

Chancellor John Healey again declined to set a date for reducing welfare spending, after a series of remarks this week appeared to give conflicting timelines. The uncertainty matters because the UK’s public finances and the Government’s plans for controlling spending are under scrutiny from debt markets.

Healey said changes would begin next year, following two reviews due this month, but distinguished the timetable for reforms from when savings would be made. The Office for Budget Responsibility forecast sickness and disability benefits could cost £100 billion a year before the end of the decade. Former Bank of England chief economist Andy Haldane said the Budget had done little to ease market concerns about the Government’s fiscal approach.

---
Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.