Keir Starmer’s stack of unfinished business – POLITICO
What happens next will hinge on two reviews: one by ex-minister Alan Milburn into the rise of under-25s not in employment, education or training, and a separate review by Disability Minister Stephen Timms into Personal Independent Payments (PIP) for sick and disabled people regardless of whether they work. Government officials insist they are still committed to reforming both systems before the next general election due in 2029. Milburn’s review is due to report back at the end of this summer and Timms’ is due in the fall. That means welfare reform is unlikely to be given a fixed bill in the May 13 king’s speech, but will be on the agenda all the same. Tension will be felt between the Treasury, Department for Work and Pensions and Starmer’s MPs, who all have ideas about the best way to balance spending cuts against reform. People protest ahead of the budget in Downing Street, London, on Nov. 25, 2025. | Kymberley Apiro/Getty Images Chancellor Rachel Reeves initially hoped for nearly £10 billion of savings from the welfare …
