Chancellor says government has 'moral duty' to help young people out of work

Chancellor John Healey has pledged to reduce the welfare bill before the next general election, while saying the government has a moral duty to help young people who are out of work.

Healey made the remarks in an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. His comments connect two issues expected to remain important in the run-up to the election: controlling welfare spending and supporting young people who are not in employment.

Welfare bill pledge

The chancellor’s commitment is focused on reducing the welfare bill ahead of the next general election. The source does not set out the size of the proposed reduction or explain how it would be achieved.

Healey also framed support for young people out of work as a responsibility of government, describing it as a “moral duty”. The remarks indicate that the issue is being presented not only as a matter of public spending, but also as a concern about young people’s employment prospects.

What remains unclear

No further details were provided on specific policies, timelines or eligibility rules. The interview also did not establish the expected financial effect of the pledge or how assistance for young people would fit with the planned reduction in welfare spending.

For now, Healey’s comments represent a public commitment to lower welfare costs while maintaining a focus on helping young people out of work before the next general election.