BRACE FOR BIG CUT TO WELFARE

Chancellor says it is vital to reform the benefits system

- SOPHIE HUSKISSON

RACHEL Reeves has given her strongest signal yet that she will slash billions from welfare.

The Chancellor is scrambling to balance the books as she deals with economic challenges ahead of her Spring Statement later this month.

Yesterday she insisted welfare needs reform, adding that it was a “travesty” a million young people are not in work.

She told Sky News' Electoral Dysfunction podcast: “Our welfare system is letting down taxpayers because it's costing too much. It's letting down our economy because there's too many people trapped on out of work benefits.