Labour's review into personal independence payments highlights lamentable legacy on welfare

Published: 20:10, 8 July 2026 | Updated: 20:10, 8 July 2026 NO fair-minded observer could dispute that Britain’s ballooning benefits culture is set to be the most damaging long-term legacy of this government. While Labour has conspicuously declined to invest in the defence of the realm and other key areas, there is always enough money in the kitty to pay the increasingly bloated welfare bill. Today we are given a glimpse into the mindset that has led us to this deeply dispiriting situation. The findings of a review into personal independence payments (PIPs) – which are paid to qualifying disability claimants – have concluded that they are ‘no longer fit for purpose’ and must be overhauled. Yet, predictably, there is no mention of reducing the overall bill and easing the burden on the taxpayer - despite spending on PIPs being on course to top the £41billion mark in 2030. Little wonder that Helen Whately, the shadow work and pensions secretary, accuses Labour of being ‘in denial about the welfare state’. Meanwhile, in a cynical bid to curry favour with Andy Burnham before he takes up the party’s reins, Bridget Phillipson is pressing for free childcare to be extended to parents on benefits. This all comes amid warnings from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) that public finances are on an ‘unsustainable’ path and deep spending cuts are needed if £120billion in tax rises are to be avoided. Previous OBR data shows that £331billion was raised in income tax during the last financial year, but more than £333billion of public money went on benefits. There is nothing to suggest that the next set of figures will be any less grim. And with Mr Burnham already ruling out ‘crude’ short-term cuts in welfare, there is every prospect that they will be even more depressing. In a cynical bid to curry favour with Andy Burnham before he takes up the party’s reins, Bridget Phillipson is pressing for free childcare to be extended to parents on benefits HOW quickly times – and political fortunes – can change. It is only weeks since Reform UK’s rise appeared almost unstoppable. But two by-election defeats and concerns over leader Nigel Farage’s financial affairs have significantly altered the landscape. From being well-positioned to enter government after the next general election, the party – according to the findings of a new megapoll - could now face the humiliating prospect of ending up in third place. For now, there is the Clacton by-election to worry about. With his dramatic decision to resign his Westminster seat, Mr Farage has brought the spotlight on himself in a manner he may well come to regret. It is clearly dawning on him that he has unleashed the sort of chaos that is way beyond his control. If he is ever tempted to forget that, the prospect of his only rival candidate being a man with a bin on his head should prove a handy reminder. OPINIONS will differ over the granting of a posthumous pardon to Ruth Ellis. Regardless of one’s stance on whether or not Ms Ellis deserved to have her name cleared, it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that the entire exercise smacks of competitive virtue-signalling. Yet it seems certain that due to the rank inefficiency of the Criminal Cases Review Commission - the quango responsible for identifying potential miscarriages in the justice system – there are innocent people languishing in Britain’s jails today. That the powers-that-be are more concerned with exonerating people who died decades – or even centuries – ago is beyond shameful.