Sir Keir Starmer accuses economic watchdog of failing to assess effects of £4.8billion welfare cuts
SIR Keir Starmer yesterday accused Britain’s economic watchdog of failing to assess properly the effects of £4.8billion welfare cuts.
The PM disputed the Office for Budget Responsibility’s claim that 250,000 would fall into poverty as a result of the changes.
In a rare public rebuke, Sir Keir suggested that the OBR had ignored how they could instead help the jobless back to work.
The OBR claimed that 25,000 people would fall into poverty following Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ £4.8bn benefits cuts.
But ministers have warned the watchdog failed to factor in how benefit reforms and back-to-work schemes could lead to improved household finances as more Universal Credit recipients find better work.
Speaking to the Commons Liaison Committee, Sir Keir said: “On the impact assessments, it is significant to my mind that the ability of any policy or legislation to change any behaviour at all is not priced in.
“In other words the OBR has scored nothing against any change here.
“The assumption is not a single person changes their behaviour.
“I personally struggle with that way of looking at it.
“I do think that these measures will make a material difference and they need to make a material difference.”
