"The benefit budget is out of control risks becoming an accepted factoid, casually thrown by TV interviewers at any passing minister. For actual facts, turn to the Resolution Foundation's chief executive, Ruth Curtice, whose predecessor, Torsten Bell, is now pensions minister."
"Bell has always noted that benefits as a proportion of GDP have stayed within 10-11%. It's not out of control, Curtice echoes. It's fairly flat when you look at working-age benefits."
"For those relishing Kemi Badenoch's 23bn cuts pledge, Curtice reminds us of the effect of George Osborne's 15bn cuts in 2015. His two-child limit plunged 450,000 children into poverty."
The welfare budget is frequently criticized by politicians, particularly Conservatives, who propose cuts to finance other initiatives. However, data indicates that welfare spending as a percentage of GDP has remained stable. The rise in costs is primarily due to increasing pension expenses driven by demographic changes. Critics of welfare cuts highlight the negative impact of previous reductions, which have led to increased poverty among children and higher housing costs. The debate continues over the relationship between welfare and other budgetary needs, particularly defense spending.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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