Labour's Education Secretary Lucy Powell came under fire on Thursday after denying that benefits claimants spend their Universal Credit on drink or gambling, instead claiming the vast majority use it for essentials like rent and household bills. Her comments were made in response to Labour dismissing the Conservative proposal to cut benefits for the long-term jobless and replace cash payments with pre-loaded cards, a move prompted by Tory leader Kemi Badenoch's announcement of a 30 per cent cut to jobless benefits for those with minimal tax contributions.

The Conservative Party rejected Powell's claims, arguing that the welfare bill is out of control and that restricting benefits spending is reasonable and not patronising. The proposed 'Back To Work' card would prevent claimants from using benefits to purchase alcohol, cigarettes, or gamble, and would prohibit cash withdrawals. Both sides used the exchange to attack the other's welfare record, with the Tories accusing Labour of having no reform proposals of its own, whilst Labour criticised the Conservative approach as unworkable.