'Unemployment has risen 10 months in a row'

Tory Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Helen Whately said: “Under Labour, unemployment has risen 10 months in a row, and over one million more people are on benefits.

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“Labour promised good jobs but are just putting people on more benefits paid for by ever-higher taxes.

“Labour have always left office with more people out of work than when they found it.

“It’s no wonder business leaders are warning that all indicators are flashing red.”

The Government says it “inherited a broken welfare system and spiralling, unsustainable benefits bill” from the Tories.

It comes weeks after Sir Keir Starmer’s attempt to cut a ballooning benefits bill was derailed by a major rebellion among Labour MPs. The Prime Minister was forced to scrap most of his planned welfare changes to save up to £5billion-a-year.

He ditched his restrictions to the personal independence payment, which is the main disability benefit in England, until after a review.

Sir Keir was instead left to push through slimmed-down legislation in the Commons, now referred to as the Universal Credit Bill.

As part of the legislation, the basic universal credit standard allowance will rise in line with inflation at least until 2029-30.