Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is facing a backlash from the Labour Left over proposed reforms to youth benefits, amid claims the crackdown would unfairly penalise young claimants. The row has intensified after it emerged that teenagers claiming benefits for anxiety can receive around £100 more per week than peers who are in work, reigniting debate over the fairness and incentives built into the current welfare system.

Critics on the left of the party argue that tightening eligibility or reducing payments risks harming vulnerable young people with genuine mental health conditions, while supporters of reform point to the pay gap with working teenagers as evidence the system needs rebalancing. The dispute reflects wider tensions within Labour over welfare policy, pitting concerns about fiscal sustainability and work incentives against fears of stigmatising claimants with mental health issues.