Jeremy Hunt says he should have cut welfare spending more aggressively as chancellor
Former chancellor Jeremy Hunt told The i Paper he regrets not pursuing deeper welfare cuts, warning that rising benefit costs will force Labour to raise taxes or slash services.
Jeremy Hunt admitted that, as chancellor, he missed the chance to implement more radical welfare reforms, suggesting that claims for anxiety and depression be redirected to NHS treatment instead of long-term benefits. He said such a shift could save £58 billion annually and help the economy grow. Hunt warned that the growing benefits bill will push the Labour government, led by John Healey, to either increase taxes or cut public services, citing an IFS-identified £35 billion fiscal gap.
He highlighted his past actions, including scrapping the work capability assessment and adjusting universal credit rules. Hunt also noted that other think-tanks have produced similar savings figures and that Labour’s budget options are limited, with the Chancellor ruling out hikes to income tax, VAT or National Insurance. Finally, he urged the incoming budget to prioritize bold growth measures over incremental changes.
Why it matters
Hunt’s warnings could shape Labour’s budget choices and influence future welfare policy in the UK.
How the sides frame it
LOW AGREEMENTLeft-leaning coverage highlights Hunt's admission that he failed to cut welfare more aggressively and warns of fiscal pressure on Labour, while right-leaning coverage frames Hunt as warning that EU free movement threatens welfare reforms and defends the Brexit settlement.
LEFT
Focuses on Hunt's own acknowledgment of missed welfare cuts and the fiscal challenges his policies leave for the Labour government.
RIGHT
Portrays Hunt as warning that unrestricted European migration would undo welfare reforms and stresses the need to preserve post-Brexit arrangements.
The left emphasises
- missed the chance to implement more radical welfare reforms
- suggest redirecting anxiety and depression claims to NHS treatment
- could save £58 billion annually and help the economy grow
The right emphasises
- EU free movement could undermine UK welfare reforms
- one million individuals outside work, education or training
- reversal of the post-Brexit settlement would reverse progress on moving people off welfare
How this story developed
- Oct 13 YouGov poll puts Reform back in third place for the first time since early 2024
- Oct 18 The latest poll shows the Conservatives now ahead of Reform UK as the main opposition.
- Oct 19 Official data show more than 200,000 migrants have received indefinite leave to remain in Britain since the government announced stricter rules, while Labour leaders clash over the proposal.
- Oct 23 The Energy Secretary publicly declined to endorse the extended settlement proposal.
In this story
Related stories
16 in this thread