How Britain's benefits system broke
The Story20 Mar 2025

How Britain's benefits system broke

It's predicted that, by the end of this Parliament, four million people in Britain will receive long-term sickness benefits–that’s the equivalent of losing the working-age population of Birmingham from the workforce. Columnist Fraser Nelson thinks it’s the biggest scandal in Britain today. So how did we get here? And can Labour fix it or will they leave already-vulnerable people worse off?


This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory


Guest: The Times & The Sunday Times columnist Fraser Nelson

Host: Luke Jones

Producer: Emily Webb

Further reading: From welfare to warfare can define Keir Starmer

Further listening: Why are so many Gen Zers not working?

Clips: BBC, Channel 4, Roman Styran / YouTube, jascow0 / YouTube

Photo: Getty


Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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