Can Britain defend itself and have a welfare state?
Spectator (UK)FEB 24
UK: Treasury Reportedly Planning Billions in Welfare Cuts
Above: Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves attending the Make UK Conference at the QEII Centre in London on March 4, 2025. Image copyright: Jordan Pettitt/Contributor/PA Images via Getty Images
The Spin
Left narrative
Labour's potential welfare cuts could be a devastating blow to the most vulnerable — targeting disabled and chronically ill people instead of exploring fairer options, like a wealth tax on the rich. These cuts risk worsening inequality and punishing those who are already struggling, revealing a skewed priority system that puts the wealthy first. Genuine reform should protect, not abandon, society's most disadvantaged.
Right narrative
The UK has experienced an unsustainable rise in benefits costs since the COVID pandemic. Welfare reform is essential for long-term stability, redirecting funds to critical areas like defense. Cutting benefits encourages scroungers to reenter the workforce, boosting the economy and reducing the strain on taxpayers. These reforms aren't about punishing the vulnerable but ensuring taxpayer resources rightly benefit society as a whole.