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Welfare Spending 2025-11-04
04 November 2025
Lead MP
Helen Whately
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
NHSTaxationHousingEmployment
Other Contributors: 34
At a Glance
Helen Whately raised concerns about welfare spending 2025-11-04 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The hon. Member regrets the Government's failure to get people off welfare and into work, believing reforming the welfare system is a moral mission. She calls for urgent action such as restricting welfare for non-UK citizens, stopping benefits for those with lower-level mental health conditions, increasing face-to-face assessments, reforming the Motability Scheme, and retaining the two-child benefit cap to encourage employment and economic strength.
Sarah Smith
Lab
Hyndburn
The hon. Member questions the use of a case study involving personal independence payment as an example against the welfare system, arguing that PIP is not based on work ability but rather health needs.
Oliver Ryan
Lab/Co-op
Burnley
The hon. Member challenges the Conservative claim by reminding the House of the increase in DWP spending during his time, and questions the current government's commitment to reducing welfare costs.
Battersea
De Cordova criticised the Conservative government's record on welfare, highlighting that during their time in office, the disability employment gap remained stubbornly at 30%. She argued for proactive measures to improve employment opportunities for disabled people.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Shannon questioned whether vulnerable groups would be targeted under welfare reform. He emphasised the importance of not penalising those who cannot cope with life due to disabilities or health issues.
Bradley Thomas
Con
Bromsgrove
Thomas pointed out that over 50% of households are net recipients from the state. He asked about the Minister's expectations for changing this figure by the end of the Parliament.
Luke Evans
Con
Hinckley and Bosworth
Evans raised concerns over the practical delivery of WorkWell scheme, inquiring where work coaches would go when premises do not have space. He welcomed the expansion of the scheme but sought clarity on its implementation.
Chingford and Woodford Green
Duncan Smith questioned whether money could be saved as more people are returned to work, especially those with mental health issues. He suggested that sickness benefit within universal credit provides an opportunity for face-to-face support.
Jerome Mayhew
Con
Broadland and Fakenham
Mr Mayhew questioned the Minister about the current disincentives within sickness benefits, noting that someone on sickness benefit receives significantly more than those working full-time. He called for a plan to reverse this situation.
Carla Lockhart
DUP
Upper Bann
Ms Lockhart highlighted the issue of welfare fraud in Northern Ireland, which costs around £240 million annually and is likely higher due to restrictions on investigations. She suggested a UK-wide strategy for tackling this problem.
Jim Allister
TUV
North Antrim
Mr Allister attempted to intervene but was not given the opportunity by the Minister at that moment, so no specific position or statistics were provided in the text.
Torbay
The Liberal Democrat spokesperson criticised the previous Conservative Government's record on welfare and healthcare spending, noting an increase of 2.8 million economically inactive people and a rise in incapacity benefits costs to £51 billion. He also raised concerns about cuts to mental health services and Access to Work schemes.
Luke Akehurst
Lab
North Durham
Mr Akehurst criticised the previous Conservative Government's approach to welfare spending, noting that it ballooned out of control under their watch. He highlighted the incompetence in handling welfare and called for a different approach.
Andrew Murrison
Con
South West Wiltshire
The Conservative MP acknowledges the pandemic's impact but questions Labour’s criticism of external factors. He supports businesses that received support during the pandemic and asks Labour to acknowledge their own lack of preparedness in managing such crises.
Reiterates his argument, emphasising the failure of the Conservative government in addressing social care issues leading people to leave the labour market. He contrasts this with Labour's achievements in reducing economic inactivity and increasing employment since coming into office.
Peter Bedford
Con
Mid Leicestershire
The MP argues that the welfare bill is out of control, blaming a system that promotes dependency over work. He highlights an increase from 2 million to 3 million people on universal credit for health-related reasons since his party left office.
Questions Mr Bedford about the Conservative government's record in managing NHS waiting lists and their impact on welfare spending.
Calder Valley
Challenges Mr Bedford’s claims, pointing out that the Conservatives left office with 1.4 million PIP claimants for mental health reasons and a significant number of people on waiting lists.
Antonia Bance
Lab
Tipton and Wednesbury
Questions Mr Bedford about his stance on the two-child benefit cap, challenging him to acknowledge its impact on children's well-being.
Jeevun Sandher
Lab
Loughborough
Critiques the Conservative government’s approach as cruel and punitive, noting that their policies led to a rise in destitution rather than employment among non-graduates. He highlights Labour's focus on creating good jobs through collaboration with businesses and trade unions.
Highlighted a constituent's struggle with unemployment due to autism diagnosis and noted improvements under the current government.
Brian Leishman
Ind
Alloa and Grangemouth
Emphasised Labour’s commitment to lifting people out of poverty but criticised the retention of the two-child benefit cap, arguing that it undermines trust in the party. Criticised government for not addressing issues like the two-child benefit cap and welfare cuts.
Ashley Fox
Con
Bridgwater
Argued that the current welfare system incentivises welfare over work, leading to increased unemployment and dependency. Stressed commitment to cutting £23 billion from welfare spending to encourage work over welfare dependence.
Chris Vince
Lab/Co-op
Harlow
Acknowledged speaking without notes and paid tribute to a colleague who left the chamber, but did not provide substantial policy position or critique within the provided text.
Chris Vince
Con
South Northamptonshire
Vince supported the Government’s aim to get people back into work, welcomed local solutions like the inactivity trailblazer scheme and employment advisers in GP surgeries and mental health institutions. He pointed out that unemployment benefits have decreased under this government and mentioned the review of PIP led by his right hon. Friend.
Fred Thomas
Lab
Plymouth Moor View
The hon. Member for Plymouth Moor View, Fred Thomas, criticised the Conservatives' claims as nonsense, highlighting that even under Henry VIII welfare reforms were needed and difficult to implement. He agreed with Vince on the need for more face-to-face PIP assessments.
James Wild
Con
North West Norfolk
The hon. Member for North West Norfolk, James Wild, argued that the current welfare system is unsustainable and unfair to both taxpayers and recipients of benefits. He highlighted Labour's record in creating 4 million jobs and halving youth unemployment but noted an increase in unemployment under the current government. Wild called for a welfare system that helps people up rather than holds them down.
Oliver Ryan
Lab/Co-op
Burnley
The hon. Member for Burnley, Oliver Ryan, criticised the Conservatives' record on welfare reform, pointing out increases in unemployment and households relying on Government support under their rule while spending billions of pounds on failure. He emphasised that they have zero credibility on this issue due to expensive failures left behind.
Kirsty Blackman
SNP
Aberdeen North
The current welfare system is broken and has contributed to child poverty. The Conservative motion is a mess as it assigns value based on income, citizenship status, and residence in the UK.
Johanna Baxter
Lab
Paisley and Renfrewshire South
Not explicitly stated in the provided text but mentioned briefly by Kirsty Blackman before being interrupted.
Rebecca Smith
Con
South West Devon
Conservatives believe in social justice and care for the most vulnerable, advocating for welfare system reform to encourage work over benefits dependency. The current welfare expenditure is unsustainable with £1 in every £4 of income tax spent on health and disability benefits.
Rebecca Smith
Con
South West Devon
The hon. Member for South West Devon argued that the current welfare system is failing individuals and taxpayers, proposing reforms such as increasing face-to-face assessments for disability benefits, reforming the Motability scheme to target only those with serious disabilities, maintaining the two-child benefit cap to encourage employment, and reducing welfare spending to support housing benefits and business rates relief.
Daniel Francis
Lab
Bexleyheath and Crayford
The hon. Member for Bexleyheath and Crayford interjected several times during the debate, primarily challenging points made by Rebecca Smith about welfare reform and Motability scheme costs.
Johanna Baxter
SNP
Edinburgh North and Leith
The hon. Member for Edinburgh North and Leith criticised the Conservative party's record on welfare, highlighting issues such as high unemployment among young people in Scotland, long NHS waiting lists, and economic inactivity due to ill health.
Speaker
Opposition
Unknown Constituency
The Opposition criticises the Conservative party's plan, questioning its definitions of lower-level mental health conditions and serious disabilities. They also mention that the current contracts restrict face-to-face assessments to just 20%, which contradicts calls for an increase in such assessments. The motion is further criticised for supporting the two-child benefit cap and aiming to get people into employment while leaving the UK as the only G7 country with a lower employment rate than before the pandemic. The speaker urges all Members to oppose the motion.
Government Response
The Minister questioned the £23 billion savings proposed by the hon. Member Helen Whately, specifically inquiring about how much would come from housing benefit. Timms defended the Government's proactive welfare approach, focusing on getting people into employment and improving their lives. He detailed plans to invest in work, health, and skills support, highlighting schemes like WorkWell and Connect to Work designed to aid those with disabilities or health issues in finding employment. The Minister discussed several key areas including expanding free childcare and meals to families on Universal Credit, addressing work disincentives within Universal Credit, improving disability support through face-to-face assessments, and tackling welfare fraud through legislation. He emphasised the importance of an 'opportunity welfare state' that supports people into work. The Minister responded by criticising the Conservative party's record on welfare reform, highlighting issues such as high unemployment, child poverty, and fraud. He emphasised that his government is committed to increasing face-to-face assessments for disability benefits and providing support for those who need it.
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