Downing Street is reviewing plans to apply a "participation first" welfare model to all working-age individuals, shifting government spending toward job support while curbing standard disability payments. The proposal aims to secure greater fiscal savings from a larger demographic cohort, though ministers will retain protected entitlements for those with the most extreme needs who are unable to work. Ministers are waiting for the publication of both the Milburn review and the Stephen Timms review before deciding whether to broaden the policy. Officials acknowledge that expanding the rules to older claimants requires navigating complex health conditions, as well as family and caring responsi…
Key points
Expanding the welfare overhaul to older age groups is intended to generate larger savings…: Expanding the welfare overhaul to older age groups is intended to generate larger savings because older adults form a bigger cohort.
The "participation first" framework preserves protected entitlements specifically for ind…: The "participation first" framework preserves protected entitlements specifically for individuals with the most extreme needs who cannot work.
The prospect of extending disability benefit cuts across the entire working-age populatio…: The prospect of extending disability benefit cuts across the entire working-age population risks triggering new backbench rebellions within the Labour party.
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Downing Street is considering whether plans to replace key disability benefits for the under-25s with work and training should be expanded to older age groups, the Guardian has learned, in a move that risks reigniting Labour tensions over welfare changes.
The prime minister and other cabinet ministers are looking at applying the idea of “participation first” to all working ages, meaning spending billions more on support to enter the workplace while cutting or removing some disability benefits.
The move would be a risky political one given the difficulties that Keir Starmer faced with getting changes to health and disability benefits past the Labour parliamentary party last year, with a rebellion leading to a major U-turn.
The discussion on changing disability benefits for over-25s comes as the government prepares to accept recommendations from its adviser, Alan Milburn, next week on overhauling the system for young people.
In his report, Milburn will propose that under-25s should get training and support instead of the universal credit health element. Under the plans, young people with disabilities will also lose their personal independence payment (Pip)…
Regional security pressures have mounted significantly across the Gulf as ongoing Houthi missile and drone strikes batter energy infrastructure, cities, and airports. Washington continues to leverage economic blockades against Iran while managing multi-billion-dollar military sales to Riyadh, balancing massive allied investments against the kingdom's heightened physical vulnerabilities.
Regional security pressures have mounted significantly across the Gulf as ongoing Houthi missile and drone strikes batter energy infrastructure, cities, and airports. Washington continues to leverage economic blockades against Iran while managing multi-billion-dollar military sales to Riyadh, balancing massive allied investments against the kingdom's heightened physical vulnerabilities.
Bilateral military partnerships in the region are poised to deepen under a newly formalized strategic pact. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed that both governments intend to expand joint industrial initiatives. This diplomatic push focuses specifically on advancing defense sector collaboration to solidify mutual interests.