Where is Burnham really on welfare reform?
The British prime minister has called having more than a million young people outside education, work or training an “economic catastrophe”. A Politico Europe podcast asks whether the government is preparing tougher benefit conditions in the budget, and how Alan Milburn’s review due next month could complicate that.
The British prime minister has described having more than a million young people not in education, employment or training as an “economic catastrophe”. A Politico Europe politics podcast asks what the government will do about it, and whether ministers plan to tighten benefit conditions in the budget while trying to rein in a spiralling welfare bill.
The programme is presented by political commentators Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy. They examine whether Andy Burnham is laying the groundwork for tougher benefit rules that could appear in the budget.
The Milburn review
A key factor is the long-awaited review by Alan Milburn, which is due next month. The hosts look at how its findings could complicate the government’s plans for reform.
Other topics
Anne McElvoy also gives the latest on the protests in France and a stark warning about the political cost of attempting to shrink the size of the state.
The programme description does not set out the review’s recommendations or any specific budget measures. A clearer picture will emerge once the document is published.
