The Treasury is disputing reports that John Healey, the Chancellor, pledged to cut the benefits bill before the next general election. The BBC's Chris Mason told Radio 4's Today programme that the Treasury said Mr Healey was not putting a timeline on welfare reductions.
The Guardian's live blog reports that the Treasury claims his comments were misinterpreted. No reason for the dispute has been reported.
Mr Healey told the BBC on Thursday morning:
"There will be a reduction in the benefits bill, we'll do that in a Labour way and we'll do that because it is simply not good for Britain or progressive to have a bigger and bigger benefits bill"
The words the BBC quotes do not mention the election or give any date. The BBC had reported the remarks as a pledge to cut the bill before the next election.
According to the BBC, Mr Healey also called the benefits system "unsustainable" and ruled out "crude cuts". More detail is not expected until two major reviews are published next month.
The BBC reports that welfare spending is forecast to rise by £19bn this year to £353bn. It says the OBR expects £431bn in 2031/32, driven primarily by health-related and pensioner benefit spending.