UK Conservatives Press Labour on Welfare Spending

Former Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride questioned John Healey, urging him to set out a "comprehensive plan" in the budget to curb rising welfare spending. According to Sina Finance, Stride warned that without cuts to welfare outlays, Healey would be forced to raise taxes on households and businesses to levels he described as "unnecessary and unacceptable." Healey said two welfare spending review reports, completed separately by Sir Stephen Timms, the Employment and Pensions Secretary, and former Health Secretary Alan Milburn, are due to be published soon. Healey said, "We will study the reports and take action based on their recommendations."