Labour has been accused by the Conservative opposition of being "in denial" over the cost of the welfare state after ministers declined to commit to cutting disability benefits. The row centres on the government's forthcoming review of personal independence payments (PIP), which reportedly does not say whether Britain's rising benefits bill will be reduced. Critics warn the welfare bill could double by the end of the decade, making the issue significant for the public finances and for the political battle over welfare reform.

The Timms Review, co-chaired by disability minister Sir Stephen Timms and due to be published on Thursday, concludes that PIP is "no longer fit for purpose" and needs fundamental change, arguing that millions of people are being failed by a system that prevents those with complex needs from working and socialising. The review follows Sir Keir Starmer's U-turn on an earlier benefits clampdown last summer. Shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately attacked the findings, saying Labour has admitted the system is broken but wrongly believes benefits are too hard to obtain and not generous enough, and that the review rules out savings while failing to tackle abuse.