Labour was left desperately backpedalling today after John Healey appeared to promise the benefits bill will be cut before the next election.

The Government's position on welfare descended into confusion as aides denied a commitment had been made - despite the Chancellor giving a seemingly clear response in an interview. 

Andy Burnham then stepped in, with Downing Street insisting there was no 'arbitrary timetable' for reducing the costs. Repeatedly asked about the remarks on a visit in the Midlands, the PM said: 'We want to get the welfare bill down as quickly as possible.'

He added: 'We just want to get stuck into supporting people... we are working hard to cut the welfare bill as soon as we possibly can.' 

No10 argued that Mr Healey's views were 'completely in line' with those of Mr Burnham. 

The row erupted amid a furious backlash over the absence of any action in the Budget yesterday, with Kemi Badenoch accusing Labour of being 'addicted' to welfare. 

Detailed forecasts revealed that welfare spending will be £6billion higher in 2030-31 than anticipated just in March. Benefits uprating and more universal credit claims accounted for most of the change. 

Health and disability benefits will exceed £100billion a year by the 2028-29 financial year, up from £85.6billion in 2025-26.

It was previously forecast to top £100billion a year in 2029-30.  

But in his speech Mr Healey merely said the overall bill would be curbed in a 'Labour way', pointing to ongoing reviews by Alan Milburn into the youth unemployment crisis and PIP by disability minister Stephen Timms.

The Chancellor risked further anger as he celebrated his package by downing a pint in front of whooping Treasury officials.

He performed the trick at Westminster pub the Two Chairmen, before turning the glass over on his head to show it was empty. 

In a round of interviews after his Budget, Mr Healey was pressed repeatedly on what he would do about the issue and dismissed 'crude cuts'.

'I've said clearly, the Prime Minister said as well, we have to bring the benefits bill down,' he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. 

'You don't do that by crude cuts, especially when people are feeling the cost of living pressures.' 

He insisted the Government had already been reducing the 'rate of increase in the welfare bill compared to the previous period'.

That included bringing back face to face assessments for claimants, he said.

Pushed again what the Government would do, Mr Healey said: 'This system is unsustainable. I've been clear about that. 

'The Prime Minister's been clear about it. The question is what you do about it.'

Asked directly if there 'will be cuts in welfare before the election', the Chancellor replied: 'There will be, there will be a reduction in the benefits bill.

'We'll do that in a Labour way and we will do that because it is simply not good for Britain or progressive to have a bigger and bigger benefits bill... 

'I feel a moral duty to deal with these youngsters who at the moment have been written off by previous governments.' 

Aides told the BBC that Mr Healey had not been making any commitment on when there would be cuts.

Sources accused the broadcaster of 'editorialising' by highlighting the exchange, even though the Chancellor's response appeared clear. 

The Government's position on welfare descended into confusion as aides denied a commitment had been made - despite the Chancellor giving a seemingly clear response in an interview. 

Andy Burnham then stepped in, with Downing Street insisting there was no 'arbitrary timetable' for reducing the costs. The PM's spokesman insisted Mr Healey's views were 'completely in line' with those of Mr Burnham.    

The row erupted amid a furious backlash over the absence of any action in the Budget yesterday, with Kemi Badenoch accusing Labour of being 'addicted' to welfare.