DWP could cut millions of people's benefits from October under Labour

Millions of Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits claimants could have benefits CUT as Wes Streeting hints at Autumn Statement changes to fill a £22 billion black hole left by the former Conservative Party government in the UK.

The new Labour Party government could cull benefits in a blow to hard-up and needy households. The Health Secretary says there are "choices" to be made at the Budget which could extend beyond just axing the £300 Winter Fuel Payment.

The Cabinet Minister said: "I can understand why there will be some pensioners sat there thinking, ‘Well, why us? And what about others?’" Speaking to the New Statesman, he added: "Well, there are other choices to come and these aren't just Rachel’s choices to face up to, these are the choices of the whole government."

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Mr Streeting said: "I think people mistake honesty for gloominess. It would be quite jarring if we were all skipping around Whitehall singing Sam Cooke's A Change Is Gonna Come or D:Ream’s Things Can Only Better at the same as we’re dealing with a £22 billion black hole.

"And making some tough choices which are really sticking in the throats of people, particularly on the winter fuel allowance." Shadow Business Secretary Kevin Hollinrake today said: "Cuts to benefits for pensioners and tax increases for the rest of us. Not sure that this was the change people were hoping for."

Mr Streeting hit back, saying: "We are cleaning up the mess your Party left. Like the cleaners coming in to remove the vomit and wine stains (and goodness knows what else) did in Number 10 after lockdown parties."

The Labour MP said ahead of the October 30 Budget from Chancellor Rachel Reeves: "At least the drunks didn't have the temerity to complain about them as they did it."