All this talk about ‘difficult’ cuts, yet the largest part of Britain’s welfare bill is never mentioned. Why? | Zoe Williams
The article discusses the overlooked aspects of Britain's welfare bill, particularly focusing on pension benefits. It highlights the disparity in attention given to pensioners compared to younger individuals facing unemployment and mental health challenges. The author questions why pension benefits remain untouchable despite their significant cost, suggesting a need for a reevaluation of welfare priorities.
- ▪Pension benefits and the state pension total £178bn annually, exceeding other welfare costs combined.
- ▪The government has ringfenced pensioner benefits, making them untouchable despite calls for welfare cuts.
- ▪The article raises concerns about the fairness of funding welfare for younger people while pension benefits remain protected.
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Illustration: Ben Jennings/The GuardianView image in fullscreen Illustration: Ben Jennings/The GuardianOpinionPensionsAll this talk about ‘difficult’ cuts, yet the largest part of Britain’s welfare bill is never mentioned. Why?Zoe WilliamsPensioners vote and young people don’t, so the truism goes. That’s no longer any reason to avoid dealing with the triple lockThu 21 May 2026 03.00 EDTShareNothing makes you feel more like a de-developing nation than being reprimanded by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Rachel Reeves can take solace in trace amounts from the fact that the IMF advised her only to “stay the course” on spending limits – whatever energy or inflation crises are down the line, she shouldn’t cave to demands for government support.
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