Andy Burnham rejects Osborne's call for Labour support on £12bn welfare cuts

Labour leadership candidate says he will not support 'brutal plans' and that chancellor should expect a fight over any cuts to disability benefits or tax credits

George Osborne's call for Labour to support his plans for 12bn of welfare cuts has been rejected by leadership frontrunner Andy Burnham, who warned the chancellor to expect a fight over any reductions to disability benefits or tax credits.

Burnham, the shadow health secretary, said it was unacceptable that Osborne had refused to spell out before the general election where he was planning to make the cuts, arguing this approach was "pretty disgraceful" and was "frightening people".

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