Healey Returns as Chancellor Amid Benefit Tensions | Sheffield News

John Healey’s return as Chancellor under Andy Burnham marks a seismic shift, especially after his recent exit from Keir Starmer’s cabinet over defense spending. Now, he’s facing the toughest fiscal challenge yet: potential cuts to sickness and disability benefits — a flashpoint that nearly tore apart Starmer’s own government last year. With Pat McFadden still running Work and Pensions and Burnham pledging no “crude” cuts, the room for maneuver is tight. Healey’s past advocacy for welfare recipients — even calling George Osborne’s cuts a “choice” — adds intrigue to how he’ll navigate today’s austerity. At his first cabinet meeting, he praised Rachel Reeves for laying the groundwork with tough financial discipline, citing the recent VAT cut on electricity as proof that growth and relief can coexist — all while Burnham insists transparency will guide every funding decision. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/97c1b6226e4d1c51