# Labour peer Richard Walker urges welfare reforms to boost employment at Budget

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/i-joined-the-labour-party-not-the-benefits-party-governments-former-cost-of-living-tsar-demands-welfare-overhaul-at-this-weeks-budget/
- Published: 2026-10-25T15:38:52+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-25T15:47:36+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16237383/I-joined-Labour-Party-not-benefits-party-Governments-former-cost-living-tsar-demands-welfare-overhaul-weeks-Budget.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: Art, Culture, Government, Politics, World

## Key points

- Richard Walker wants welfare changes to encourage sustained employment.
- He proposes cash rewards and employer incentives.
- Major reform proposals are expected next year.

## Summary

Lord Richard Walker, Iceland’s chairman and a Labour peer, has urged the Government to overhaul welfare in this week’s Budget, arguing that it should help people move into work and make employment pay. The former cost of living adviser says people who can work should not be left on benefits, while stressing that those unable to work must be protected.

Walker proposes cash rewards for people who leave long-term benefits and remain in a job, incentives for employers who hire them, and tax relief for firms employing younger workers. He also wants lower corporation tax for small businesses and entrepreneurs. The Government is not expected to announce major welfare reforms in the Budget: reports on youth unemployment and disability benefits are due next month, with proposals expected next year.

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