By GB News (World News) | Created at 2025-03-18 19:06:11 | Updated at 2025-03-20 16:04:59
1 day ago
Work & Pensions Minister Alison McGovern has declared the current social security system "broken" after defending Sir Keir Starmer's plans to slash Britain's benefits bill.
Speaking in the House of Commons earlier today, Work & Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall published a green paper outlining plans to slash the "ballooning benefits bill" and boost the country's finances.
The Government's plans include significant changes to Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and job centre services, resulting in cuts amounting to around £5billion.
McGovern told GB News the reforms are necessary as the system left by the Conservatives has "significant problems".
McGovern has defended the Government's decision to slash £5billion from the benefits bill
GB News
Rachel Reeves may have to break manifesto commitments to find extra money for our cash-strapped nation
Getty Images
"We want people in this country to have the chance at getting into work," McGovern said.
McGovern specifically addressed changes to Personal Independence Payments (PIP). She said: "We're also experiencing significant numbers of new applications to PIP, to personal independence payments as a part of Social Security," she explained.
"We need to make sure that the Social Security system is sustainable, because we want the welfare state to survive for generations to come," McGovern told GB News.
She added: "We are focusing the resources on the people who need it most, who've got the most significant disadvantages."
McGovern assured that austerity is 'not back' under a Labour Government
GB News
McGovern also promised a complete overhaul of the Department for Work & Pensions.
"We are changing the Department for Work and Pensions from top to bottom," she declared.
She concluded: "Alongside helping people to move into work, we need to make sure that the Social Security system is sustainable.
"Because we want the welfare state to survive for generations to come, so we are focusing the resources, on the people who need it most, who've got the most significant disadvantages."
