Benefits bill on course to rise by £18billion a YEAR without reform

Spending on sickness benefits is on course to rise by £18 billion without reform – more than the entire police budget.

Work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall is facing a furious backlash from Labour MPs and campaigners who warn that 'cruel' cuts to disability benefits will drive hundreds of thousands into poverty.

But official figures published alongside the Government's long-awaited welfare legislation yesterday reveal that spending on benefits will continue to soar even if the reforms survive a Commons rebellion, with many Labour MPs threatening the first big revolt of Keir Starmer's premiership.

An impact assessment reveals that spending on sickness and disability benefits for working-age adults is set to jump by £18 billion a year to £70 billion by the next election, if nothing is done to trim the bill.

The report adds: 'The increase alone is more than the entire police budget.' The 2025-26 police budget is £17.4 billion.