Labour benefits chaos

JEREMY Corbyn was contradicted by his own shadow minister yesterday over his party’s chaotic plans on the current benefits freeze.

The Labour leader re- ignited confusion earlier this week by saying he would end a freeze on welfare payments, saying they would be up-rated with inflation under a Labour government.

But yesterday his plan – which experts suggest could cost up to £3.6 billion – was plunged into further disarray when one of his ministers refused to back his comments.

Instead, shadow work and pensions secretary Debbie Abrahams said Labour would ‘redesign’ Universal Credit rather than reverse the benefits freeze.

She told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme the party had opted for a ‘different approach’.