Trevor Phillips has accused Labour of “turning into the Tories” over plans to cut international aid and reduce the welfare bill by up to £6 billion.
The Sky News presenter confronted health secretary Wes Streeting as the government prepares to roll out significant reforms to the benefits system.
Phillips pointed out that even former Labour cabinet minister Ed Balls had said cutting benefits was “not a Labour thing to do.”
‘You sound like the Tories’ – Phillips’ blunt accusation
Phillips didn’t hold back.
“You more or less bragged that you’re doing the things the Conservative Party wanted to do but didn’t,” he said. “You even said, ‘I bet they’re glad people chose change with Labour.’
“Some of your less favourable friends are saying that the change with Labour is that Labour’s changing into the Tories.”
Streeting wasn’t having it.
“I reject that argument,” he shot back. “I don’t think it’s a Labour argument to say that we would want people consigned to a life on benefits, unable to work.”
Phillips interrupted: “Aid cuts, winter fuel allowance, benefit cuts…”
Streeting defends Labour’s position
Streeting argued that Labour is trying to clean up the mess left by the Conservatives.
“The situation we’ve inherited — the level of spending, borrowing, and national debt — that’s not something Labour is happy with,” he said.
“What we’re absolutely doing is reforming the state to make it more effective, getting the economy growing so we can invest in public services without hiking taxes, and putting more money in people’s pockets. Those are Labour things to do.”
‘Did you get into politics to take from the poor?’
Streeting also faced tough questions from Laura Kuenssberg on BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.
“As a Labour politician, did you get into politics to take money from some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in society?” she asked.
Streeting replied: “We don’t want to take money from the poorest in society. We want to support the most vulnerable and make sure they’ve got dignity, independence, and a great quality of life.”
Can Labour balance the books without losing voter trust?
Labour’s defence of the cuts might make economic sense — but politically, it’s risky. Voters could struggle to accept that a party built on supporting working people is now tightening the purse strings.
Streeting insists that Labour is focused on long-term stability. However, with cuts to aid and benefits on the table, it’s unclear how well that message will land with voters.
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