Badenoch denies housing benefit cuts plan would make people homeless
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has defended her party's proposal to cut housing benefits to fund increased defense spending, arguing that national security is a prerequisite for social security. The plan has faced criticism from political opponents who argue it could lead to increased homelessness.
Why it matters
The debate highlights the tension between fiscal policy, national security priorities, and social welfare obligations in the current political climate.
Image caption, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has denied her party's plans to cut housing benefit would make people homeless, but suggested some would have to "move somewhere cheaper".
At Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, she had challenged Andy Burnham to commit to spending 3% of GDP on defence by 2030, saying the cost could be covered by cuts to welfare.
The Conservatives have claimed £4bn could be cut from the housing benefit bill, in part by allowing tenancies in areas where housing is expensive to come to an end.
Asked whether she would be willing to make people homeless in order to fund defence, Badenoch told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the party would "protect existing tenants".
During PMQs, Burnham argued national security "can't come at the expense of social security".
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