Best thing we can offer young people is a job, not benefits, says chancellor

Image source, PA Media Image caption, John Healey and cabinet ministers from the other great offices of state gave speeches at Labour Party conference on Monday

The chancellor has warned against allowing Britain's benefits bill to balloon while not offering young people opportunities.

John Healey told Labour's annual conference in Liverpool that cutting welfare spending was "more than an economic must - it's a moral duty".

"The best thing we can offer a young person is not a benefit payment - it's a first job with training and a wage," he said.

He announced the expansion of a Local Apprenticeships Service for mayors in England, which he said would deliver thousands more apprenticeships for young people.

Healey's speech comes as he faces pressure to cut public spending or raise taxes ahead of next month's Budget to bring down government borrowing costs.