Skip to playerSkip to main contentSkip to footer
National World - LocalTV
  • 21/03/2025
Among the most contentious aspects of the plan are stricter eligibility criteria for Personal Independence Payments and the potential removal of the health top up in Universal Credit for those under 22.
Transcript
00:00Among the most contentious aspects of the plan are stricter eligibility criteria for
00:04personal independence payments and the potential removal of the health top-up and universal
00:08credit for those under 22. While Working Pension Secretary Liz Kendall argues that these changes
00:13will create a poor work system and address a benefits regime that she claims is failing
00:17its intended beneficiaries, there is growing concern that these reforms will impact those
00:21who are already struggling the most.
00:24Martin Gannon, leader of Gateshead Council, expressed his fears, warning that the cuts
00:28could create a ripple effect, increasing pressure on local public services. He argues
00:33you can cut the National Welfare Bill, but you're not actually cutting the costs, you're
00:36just shifting the burden. While acknowledging the government's concern over the rising welfare
00:41bill, Gannon pointed out that local councils are already struggling to manage the rising
00:45costs of adult social care and services for children in care, which are direct consequences
00:50of austerity measures. He added,
00:59If the government is looking to save money on welfare, it cannot simply push the costs
01:04down on local authorities, which are already operating on a shoestring budget.
01:09North East Mayor Kim McGuinness also expressed alarm, calling to scrap the two-child benefit
01:13cap. She highlighted the particular hardship that children with disabled parents could
01:17face under the new welfare changes. In response, Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended the reforms,
01:23claiming they were necessary to fix a welfare system that had been fundamentally broken
01:27by the previous government. He argues that the system was failing not only the people
01:32it was designed to help, but also businesses in need of workers and taxpayers who ultimately
01:37bear the cost. Starmer emphasised the importance of creating a system that encourages young
01:42people to work and live independently.

Recommended

0:34
Up next
Watch tense moment Birmingham council leader faces bins strike fury from public gallery
BirminghamWorld
18/06/2025
1:45
North East MPs against Welfare Reforms
National World - LocalTV
09/05/2025
3:46
Taking the PIP: Government announce welfare reforms
ODN
18/03/2025
3:39
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness visits Sunderland charity Love, Amelia to launch new Child Poverty Reduction Unit
Sunderland Echo
28/08/2024
1:00
North East Council’s face funding gap of £157.1 Million
National World - LocalTV
12/09/2024
3:00
The North East: Worst Region for Opportunities
National World - LocalTV
03/06/2025
1:36
Kendall says welfare changes show 'strength in listening'
ODN
4 days ago
1:00
Frustrations over Gateshead Flyover
National World - LocalTV
20/01/2025
1:45
North East SEND is ‘on its knees’
National World - LocalTV
4 days ago
7:07
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness pledges support for Sunderland's Crown Works Studio project
Sunderland Echo
17/05/2024
1:45
Dame Norma Redfearn Leaves Lasting Legacy as North Tyneside Welcomes New Mayor Karen Clark
National World - LocalTV
06/05/2025
0:51
Work and Pensions sec sets out overhaul of benefits system
ODN
18/03/2025
1:45
Great North Initiative Launched to Unite Region and Drive £118 Billion Investment
National World - LocalTV
20/05/2025
1:45
SEND Funding Emergency: North East Councils on Brink of Insolvency
National World - LocalTV
18/06/2025
1:35
Starmer: Welfare must be fixed ‘the Labour way’
ODN
3 days ago
0:48
Tories: Labour needs to be tougher on welfare reform
ODN
18/03/2025
1:20
McFadden defends Labour's welfare reforms
ODN
18/03/2025
3:55
UK Budget 2023: The main points
ODN
15/03/2023
1:23
Welfare reforms strike ‘right balance’, says Starmer
ODN
4 days ago
0:55
Newcastle headlines 27 January: Kim McGuinness to stand for as the Labour Candidate for North East Mayor
National World - LocalTV
27/01/2023
2:30
Millions face losing out under Labour’s benefits shape-up - Who will be affected?
National World - LocalTV
19/03/2025
2:20
Welfare groups urge NSW government to be open to major reforms
ABC NEWS (Australia)
03/12/2024
1:45
North East Local Elections are coming up
National World - LocalTV
11/04/2025
1:25
Welfare reform: Davey fears for vulnerable disabled people
ODN
19/03/2025
2:02
South Tyneside Council chiefs launch targeted new way of tackling child poverty issues
Shields Gazette
13/03/2025