Pat McFadden, Labour's Work and Pensions Secretary, urged fellow MPs at Labour's conference in Liverpool to support a major overhaul of the benefits system, describing welfare reforms as a "moral crusade." He emphasized the need for changes ahead of two upcoming reports: one on Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and another focusing on young people not in education, employment or training. McFadden called for shifting the focus from entitlement to opportunity and helping individuals live fuller lives, while acknowledging that tough decisions lie ahead as the party considers how to address ballooning welfare costs.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-28,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Pat McFadden, the Work and Pensions Secretary, urged Labour MPs to support significant welfare reforms at the party's conference in Liverpool. He characterized these changes as a "moral crusade" aimed at reducing benefits for young people not in education, employment, or training (NEETs), and overhauling the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) system. The speech comes ahead of two reviews: one by Alan Milburn on NEETs, and another by Stephen Timms on PIP. McFadden's push reflects efforts to learn from systems in Netherlands and Denmark, where youth hubs tackle unemployment and disability benefits are more restricted for under-40s. This follows a previous attempt by former PM Keir Starmer to cut billions from the welfare budget, which was abandoned due to opposition within Labour.
Written for “UK Welfare Overhaul Debate” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 1 other(s) covering the same event.
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Labour MPs were today urged to 'get on and do it' as Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden attempted to rally backing for a major overhaul of the benefits system.
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McFadden → see → system
In a speech to Labour's conference in Liverpool, Mr McFadden described welfare reforms as a 'moral crusade' as he warned of a 'tough decision' for the party.
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he → describe → party
It comes ahead of the publication of a Government-commissioned review of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which is the main disability benefit in England and Wales.
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which → come → England
A separate report on how to tackle the one million young people who are not in education, employment or training - so-called NEETs - is also due this autumn.
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who → tackle → education
Former prime minister Keir Starmer attempted to cut billions of pounds from Britain's ballooning benefits bill when he was in office by tightening PIP rules.
But the now-ousted premier abandoned his plans as he crumbled in the face of a huge revolt by Labour's Left-wing MPs.
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he → attempt → MPs
Sir Keir then splurged more in welfare cash as he axed the two-child benefit cap in a doomed bid to save his premiership, leading the Tories to brand Labour the 'welfare party'.
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he → splurge → Labour
After he replaced Sir Keir as PM, Andy Burnham promised to 'get really serious' about reducing the country's ballooning welfare bill despite ruling out 'crude cuts'.
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Burnham → replace → cuts
Labour MPs were today urged to 'get on and do it' as Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden attempted to rally backing for a major overhaul of the benefits system
In a speech to Labour's conference in Liverpool, Mr McFadden described welfare reforms as a 'moral crusade' as he warned of a 'tough decision' for the party
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he → urge → party
Mr McFadden on Sunday put Labour MPs on notice that they can no longer shirk taking responsibility for major benefits changes.
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they → put → changes
'I want us to change the question that the system asks from 'what benefit are you entitled to', to 'how do we help you live the fullest life?',' the Work and Pensions Secretary said.
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Secretary → want → life
'We do not discharge our governmental responsibilities, let alone fulfill our progressive ideals, simply by giving people enough money to keep body and soul together.
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We → discharge → body
We don't just owe people an income.
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We → owe → income
We owe them a future too and that is what the system should be built around.
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system → owe → what
He added that there will be 'decisions to make and responsibilities to take' when Stephen Timms's review of PIP and Alan Milburn's report on NEETs are published.
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review → add → NEETs
'How we have a new system focussed on opportunity,' Mr McFadden continued.
'How we move from asking what are you entitled to – to asking how do we change your life.
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we → have → life
And how we offer you not just an income but a future too.
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we → offer → income
'That’s what the welfare state must do in this century.
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state → ’ → century
And it falls to us, the party which did so much to create it, the party that holds it dear, to embrace the change needed.
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it → fall → change
'And when we do it is not because this is some tough decision forced on us by necessity.
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this → do → necessity
It is because it is the right decision driven by our beliefs and values.
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it → drive → beliefs
And because on it depends the future of so many people in our country.
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future → depend → country
So let’s get on and do it.'
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’s → let → it
Mr McFadden also confirmed Government plans to expand its job guarantee scheme for young people.
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McFadden → confirm → people
The move will see young people receiving health or disability support offered a guaranteed job, funded by the Government, three months after they start claiming benefits.
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they → see → benefits
Currently, jobless young people must have been on Universal Credit for 18 months before receiving an offer under the Government’s job guarantee scheme.
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people → receive → scheme
They will also be given mentoring along with support with mental health, finances and housing to help prepare them for work.
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They → give → work
Mr McFadden said Labour was offering young disabled people 'paid work with the support to hold on to it'.
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Labour → say → it
But backed by us to work, to earn, to build a life,' he added.
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he → back → life
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