Claim 178093ecChecked 21 Jul 2026
TrueOn the truth scale
“The Prime Minister keeps saying that he is bringing in welfare reforms.”
—Mrs Kemi BadenochConservativeCon / North West Essex·Engagements·03 Jun 2026Factual · historical current chronological
Reasoning & Evidence21 Jul 2026
The claim that "The Prime Minister keeps saying that he is bringing in welfare reforms" is well-supported by public evidence. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has repeatedly and publicly announced welfare reforms throughout 2025 and into 2026.
In March 2025, the government unveiled what it called the "biggest shake-up to welfare system in a generation," with Starmer publicly backing the reforms and calling the current system's cost "devastating" for public finances. He wrote in *The Times* that the system was "actively incentivising" people away from work and was an "affront to the values of our country."
After a significant Labour backbench rebellion in June 2025 forced the government to water down the reforms (limiting cuts to new claimants only), Starmer did not abandon the agenda. In September 2025, *The Telegraph* reported that Starmer would "drive through money-saving welfare reforms following his No 10 reset," with *Politics Home* noting he was "determined to try again" in 2026. The Timms Review into PIP was launched as part of this renewed effort, with new terms of reference published.
Multiple sources — government announcements, BBC reporting, Reuters, *The Telegraph*, and *Politics Home* — all confirm that Starmer has consistently and repeatedly stated his intention to bring in welfare reforms.
Sources: BBC News, "Starmer says cost of sickness benefits 'devastating'" (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce8vp560n7vo); BBC News, "Keir Starmer says benefit system unfair and indefensible" (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0kgpyz3mmpo); BBC News, "Keir Starmer u-turns on benefits changes after Labour backlash" (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq6my6v81z4o); GOV.UK, "Biggest shake up to welfare system in a generation to get Britain working" (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/biggest-shake-up-to-welfare-system-in-a-generation-to-get-britain-working); Reuters, "UK's Starmer offers concessions on welfare cuts to quell Labour revolt" (https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uks-starmer-offers-concessions-welfare-cuts-quell-labour-revolt-2025-06-26/); The Telegraph, "Sir Keir Starmer to push for welfare cuts after No 10 reset" (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/09/02/starmer-welfare-cuts-after-reset/); Politics Home, "Will Major Welfare Reform Happen In 2026?" (https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/will-major-welfare-reform-happen-next-year)
From speech
The Prime Minister keeps saying he is bringing in welfare reforms. None of those things is going to cut the bill. Even his own Timms review explicitly says—this is their review; this is in the terms of reference—that this is not about generating proposals for further savings. The Prime Minister had a chance to cut benefits. Last year, I remember the Government were planning to cut benefits and on the Floor of the House they U-turned. What did he do when he had a chance? He caved. He caved to all the MPs behind him who do not want benefits brought down. That is why they are sitting silently behind him. Does the Prime Minister agree with his Welfare Secretary that that was the moment he lost his authority?
Sources opened
| [1] | reuters.com |
| [2] | bbc.co.uk |
| [3] | gov.uk |
| [4] | politicshome.com |
| [5] | gov.uk |
| [6] | bbc.co.uk |
| [7] | bbc.com |
| [8] | bbc.co.uk |
| [9] | telegraph.co.uk |