Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has defended the Government’s proposed welfare reforms, insisting they are necessary to address an “unsustainable” system. Speaking during a visit to Londonderry, Mr Benn said the reforms aim to better support those who can return to work while ensuring protections remain for those who cannot.
His comments come amid widespread criticism from political parties in Northern Ireland following Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ spring statement, which outlined significant cuts to welfare spending.
Welfare system ‘doesn’t work’
Mr Benn argued that the current welfare structure is failing to help people re-enter the workforce and must be changed.
“It doesn’t work to help people who can get back into work. That should be an objective that all of us share,” he said.
He reassured the public that vulnerable individuals would continue to receive support:
“The Government has been very clear that those who can’t work at the moment and will never be able to work will be protected.”
Mr Benn also highlighted concerns about youth unemployment, stressing that urgent action is needed to address the issue.
“We have got one in eight of our young people not in education, work, or training – one in eight. That is the future potential of the nation,” he said.
“We can’t sit here and shrug our shoulders and say that is the way it is. We have got to do something about it.”
Redirecting resources to employment support
The Government’s welfare reform package proposes shifting resources towards employment support, a move Mr Benn described as essential for long-term economic stability.
“The package said we are going to redirect some of those resources into helping people who can get back into work to make it easier,” he explained.
“People will debate it, but it is something that has to be done because most people I have spoken to recognise the current system doesn’t work and is simply unsustainable.”
The reforms have been met with criticism from Northern Ireland’s political leaders, with Sinn Féin ministers accusing the Government of prioritising defence spending over welfare.
Defence spending and economic growth
Mr Benn dismissed claims that welfare cuts were being made to fund defence increases, insisting that national security is the Government’s top priority.
“The first priority, the first responsibility of any government is to protect the nation,” he stated.
“You all know we are living in a more dangerous and uncertain world. In those circumstances, it is right and proper for the Government to increase defence expenditure.
“That is what we have done. We have taken the difficult decision over how to fund that. It is the right thing to do to protect the nation.”
He also emphasised the economic benefits of increased defence spending, particularly in Northern Ireland, where the Thales factory in Belfast has secured a contract to produce 5,000 air defence missiles for Ukraine.
“Some of that investment, in respect of Ukraine, has come to Thales in Belfast, and it is going to create an additional 200 jobs,” Mr Benn said.
“That is part of our commitment to support Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.”
He further underlined the Government’s broader focus on economic growth, arguing that a stronger economy would ultimately benefit public services.
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“At the same time, we are passionate about economic growth, because in the end, that is how we are going to see the lives of all of us improve and the Government having more money to spend on the things that we want.”
Balancing reform and public expectations
The proposed welfare reforms remain a contentious issue, with critics warning that cuts could push struggling households into deeper financial difficulty. The Government, however, maintains that reform is necessary to ensure long-term sustainability and improve employment prospects for those who can work.
With tensions high and opposition from political leaders in Northern Ireland growing, the Government now faces the challenge of persuading both the public and MPs that its approach strikes the right balance between economic responsibility and social support.
