Tory leader criticises 'piecemeal' Budget measures saying savings should come from welfare

Summary

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch tells the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg the chancellor's budget had lots of "piecemeal" measures, adding the bulk of savings need to come from welfare
Chancellor John Healey has committed to cutting welfare spending, saying: "We will bring the benefits bill down"
Healey also says the government has to do more on defence, and warns "this is a very dangerous world and threats are rising"
Healey suggests that younger workers might not receive the same minimum wage as others before the next election, potentially breaking a Labour manifesto promise
When questioned about reparations for slavery, Healey says he was "open" to the possibility of the UK formally apologising for its role in the transatlantic slave trade, while Badenoch says the country had apologised already

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'One step at a time,' says Healey on closing the gap between older and younger workers

Live Reporting

Edited by Angus Thompson and Jenna Moon

Healey risks breaking minimum wage promise for younger workerspublished at 08:27 GMT
Laura Kuenssberg
Presenter, Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg

Media caption,
'One step at a time,' says Healey on closing the gap between older and younger workers
Chancellor John Healey has suggested that younger workers might not receive the same minimum wage as others before the next election, potentially breaking a Labour manifesto promise.
In 2024, Labour said it would remove "discriminatory age bands", vowing to end the gap between the adult minimum wage and pay for 18 to 20-year-olds.
But in last week's Budget, Healey said that younger workers would see the same increase as older workers, leaving a gap between the two rates this year.
Pay for 18 to 20-year-olds in 2026 will rise to £11.27, while over-20s will be paid a minimum of £13.21 an hour.
In an interview to be broadcast this morning, Healey was asked if younger workers would be paid the same as older workers, when it comes to the minimum wage, by the time of the next election.
"We'll take one step at a time," he said, suggesting that Labour might abandon its plan to close the gap before the next election.
It is a change that is likely to anger the unions and some on the left of the party.
- You read more from Laura Kuenssberg here
Coming up on Sunday with Laura Kuenssbergpublished at 08:20 GMT

We'll be hearing from John Healey, who delivered his first Budget as chancellor earlier in the week. He sat down with Laura Kuenssberg on Saturday morning.
Also appearing on the show will be Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who was highly critical of the Budget on Wednesday.
Taking part in Sunday's panel will be:
- Tony Radakin, former chief of the defence staff
- Andy Haldane, economist and former advisor to Andy Burnham
- Nicola Sturgeon, former first minister of Scotland

Chancellor faces Kuenssberg after 'breathing space' Budgetpublished at 08:12 GMT

Image source, House of Commons
Laura Kuenssberg has spoken to Chancellor John Healey after he delivered his first Budget earlier this week.
Measures announced in the "breathing space" Budget included a £100 energy support payment, an extension of the fuel duty freeze, and the scrapping of standing charges on gas bills.
In the days since, the government has faced pressure to outline when it will get the benefits bill down, with the Conservatives accusing Labour of being "addicted to welfare".
In a pre-recorded interview with Kuenssberg, the chancellor also faced questions over pay increases for youth after the Budget left a gap between the wage floor for younger and older workers despite a Labour pledge to close it.
Also on the show this week is Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch; today's panel will be former defence chief Tony Radakin, economist Andy Haldane and former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
You'll be able to watch above from 09:00 GMT when Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg begins.
Stick with us for more Budget reaction in the meantime.