Prime Minister Burnham said he will tighten eligibility for benefits for young people and boost funding for mental-health services and employment support to rein in rising welfare costs. The UK Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts welfare spending to rise from £334bln last fiscal year to £431bln in 2031-32, increasing pressure on the government to curb benefit outlays. Former Labour minister Alan Milburn is expected to publish a lengthier review of youth unemployment in the coming weeks; B

Prime Minister Burnham said he will tighten eligibility for benefits for young people and boost funding for mental-health services and employment support to rein in rising welfare costs. The UK Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts welfare spending to rise from £334bln last fiscal year to £431bln in 2031-32, increasing pressure on the government to curb benefit outlays. Former Labour minister Alan Milburn is expected to publish a lengthier review of youth unemployment in the coming weeks; Burnham said the report will examine required community, health and education supports. He added that upfront investment in young people is needed now and that policies should reach a breakeven point over time and ultimately yield fiscal savings.