Tomorrow [26th June 2025] in a speech to the British
Chambers of Commerce 2025 Global Annual Conference, “Where's the
Growth?” in London, , Leader of the Opposition,
is expected to say:
“The country is living beyond its means. We are spending more
than we are earning; and it means the cost of living crisis for
working people is getting worse and worse.
“We need a totally different approach. One that ensures things
are easier for the makers – the people who work hard, create
wealth and jobs, and deliver frontline public services.
“Because currently this country has too many people who are
taking – from those who sit at home with the curtains drawn while
others go to work; to those who skip the queue and arrive here
illegally, only to be given privileged access to social housing,
the NHS and our generous welfare system.
“Despite having a supermajority in Parliament, the Prime Minister
is in the fight of his life to save the government's welfare
changes that don't even cut the overall bill, just slightly slow
the rate of increase, because his MPs are too scared to make
difficult decisions.
“Britain needs real welfare reform if we're to incentivise takers
to become makers. By 2030, one in every four pounds raised
through income tax will be spent on health and disability
benefits – alone more than the entire UK defence budget – and
that's excluding all the other benefits. In an increasingly
dangerous world, that is simply unsustainable.
“We need a fundamental rethink about which conditions should
qualify for long-term financial support. I was shocked to hear
that the majority of new disability claims in this country are
now for behavioural and mental health conditions like anxiety.
“Research published today by the Centre for Social Justice today
shows that by narrowing eligibility — focusing support on those
with more severe conditions — we could save up to £9 billion a
year from the welfare bill.
“That is a serious amount of money we could save. But I know it
won't be easy. Under my leadership, the Conservative Party will
not shy away from confronting the tough questions that need
answering and, more importantly, providing the solutions.”
