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UK Business Secretary Vows to Cut Welfare Bill Amidst Protests
Confirmed
In Short: Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has pledged to reduce the welfare bill, despite criticism from Reform UK and protests against illegal migrant policies.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has vowed to cut the welfare bill, according to reports. Speaking on Sunday, Reynolds expressed confidence in reducing the UK’s large welfare bill, stating, 'I am very confident Andy Burnham will reduce the welfare bill.
Reynolds, however, condemned Reform UK’s plans to cut the number of people using welfare, calling them "just fantasy." He emphasized that reforming the welfare system "will be a mission for this government," but stressed the need to reframe the debate.
In a separate development, a Cabinet minister has condemned the blocking of Dover roads by masked and black-clad anti-illegal migrant protesters. This incident highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration policies.
The new Prime Minister’s ambitious plans were further highlighted by the introduction of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code amendment Bill in the second half of the Budget session beginning March 9, as reported by the Economictimes. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the government would make income up to ₹12 lakh tax-free under the new regime, providing a direct lifeline for salaried families.
The speech given by the Prime Minister also outlined 37 bills ministers want to pass in the next parliamentary session, including eight previously introduced to Parliament. This comprehensive list of legislative goals underscores the government’s ambitious agenda for the coming months.
What's confirmed
What's still developing
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- Alongside lofty promises of change, welfare reform and devolution of power, Burham announced his first policy intervention – to tackle homelessness.
- “I will soon go through that door behind me and issue my first instruction to end rough sleeping in our country,” he said at the end of his first address as prime minister.
- “The prime minister rejects the notion that ending rough sleeping will take decades or that it can’t be done at all,” a line in the accompanying statement said, illustrating the scope of Burnham’s ambition.
- Britain’s new Prime Minister Andy Burnham entered 10 Downing Street on Monday, making few detailed policy statements but offering plenty of clues about the nature of his premiership.