Starmer to deliver Labour conference speech with left alarmed by plan for crackdown on benefit fraud – UK politics live

PM to deliver message of qualified optimism but expected announcement on benefit fraud concerns left of party

Pat McFadden did not rule out benefits being cut in the budget when he was asked about welfare in an interview with Sky News this morning.

Asked if Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, was considering benefit cuts, the Cabinet Office minister replied:

She won’t start from that point of view, but she will start from saying there are too many people on long-term sickness benefits.

What can we do to get people back into work? There is some fraud in the system too, which we’re going to act on.

We’ll hear from the prime minister today in what is a really big moment for us, the first speech from a Labour prime minister to Labour conference for 15 years, is that although the fiscal government budget situation is tough, there are good times on the horizon if we get stability right.

I’m shocked. If it’s optimism and sunshine you want, I am your man.