Reeves says axing benefits for the young “is not and will not be our policy”

Last night the Telegraph ran a report that suggested Labour could be planning to cut benefits for under-25s who are out of work and not in training. The entire story was based on an upcoming report from the IPPR’s influential Graeme Cooke, but as influential as IPPR are in the Labour Party (and they are hugely influential) – it’s a big leap to suggest that because they’ve written a report it’s automatically Labour Party policy.

And Rachel Reeves has made it very clear this morning that it’s not Labour Party policy – and won’t be, tweeting this morning in response to those who had contacted her:

“This is not and will not be our policy” “it’s not our plan” and “it is totally not my position!”

That all sounds pretty clear to me. Labour’s policy remains a job guarantee for young people – and I’d expect the party will use the furore over the Telegraph report to try and reinforce that.

Update: And now Reeves has tweeted a link to this very piece, saying “We need a jobs guarantee for young people not blaming them for Tory failure.” I think we can consider this a non-story…

Update: While we’re here – it’s worth pointing out what the report is actually about (ending NEETs and getting all young people into jobs or training). I’m guessing that whilst the means to fund this (cutting benefits for the young)  are unpopular in the Labour Party, the aim itself is actually something most would like to see.