Burton fails to rule out cuts to welfare in apparent backtrack

WELFARE cuts cannot be ruled out in the budget according to the Social Protection Minister, Joan Burton, in an apparent backtracking on a previous commitment that payments would be safeguarded.

The minister said she is “enormously concerned” about the possible impact on lower-paid families of a proposed new household tax which is expected to be announced today.

At its last meeting before the summer break, the cabinet is expected to sign off on a combined water and property tax that will hit householders with a €100 annual bill from January.