British leader’s challenges are far from over

Asked to name the worst moment of his first year as prime minister, Keir Starmer spoke movingly about the death of his brother.

- Rachel Reeves

If he had given a political answer — well, an honest one — it would surely have been his humiliating climbdown over cuts to disability benefits after a revolt by 126 Labour MPs, Ministers still lick deep wounds, but tell me they have not given up on trying to reduce the ballooning welfare bill — set to rise from £313bn to £373bn by 2099-30. “It is unsustainable,” one said. “Any government would have to address it. We can’t give up on reform.”

Starmer admitted to a recent meeting of Labour’s national executive committee (NEC) his filleted legislation had not been handled well — a bit of an understatement. He promised a review by Stephen Timms, the minister for disability, would do better. Disabled people will play a key role, though, so it is hard to see how the review will recommend savings. Timms has said it is “not intended to deliver cuts”. Fellow ministers are investing a lot of hope in the highly respected Timms, But he will need to be a miracle worker to keep everyone happy, producing a package supported by disability campaigners that also involves lower spending.