Andy Burnham is wearing a white shirt, dark-coloured jacket and glasses. He has short black hair and is sat in front of a blue backdrop.Image source, Reuters
ByRichard WheelerPolitical reporter

Andy Burnham said he wants to cut the welfare bill "as soon as we possibly can", but was unable to guarantee this would happen before the next general election.

Opponents raised concerns over the lack of details on welfare reform in Wednesday's Budget, after welfare spending was forecast to increase from £353bn this year to £431bn in 2031/32.

Asked whether he would seek to reduce the bill before the next election, Burnham told reporters: "We want to get the welfare bill down as quickly as possible, and we're working flat out to that end."