Sir Keir Starmer faces a major rebellion over welfare cuts despite offering concessions to angry Labour MPs. Ministers hope a partial U-turn will secure enough support when MPs vote on the controversial changes on Tuesday.
The Government has protected people claiming personal independence payment (PIP) from changes due in November 2026 and scaled back plans to cut the health-related element of universal credit. But backbench anger continues to simmer, with Monday's statement from Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall receiving a frosty response.
Ministers hope for support
Asked whether he was "confident" the concessions had secured passage of the Universal Credit and Personal Independent Payment Bill, disabilities minister Sir Stephen Timms would only tell Sky News: "I certainly hope it passes." Some 126 Labour MPs had previously signed a "reasoned amendment" that would have blocked the legislation entirely.
That rebellion appeared averted after Treasury Committee chairwoman Dame Meg Hillier described Friday's concessions as a "workable compromise". But in the Commons on Monday, she joined several senior Labour figures raising concerns about the Government's revised proposals.
Second rebellion emerges
Another MP involved in negotiations, Debbie Abrahams, suggested ministers had rowed back on what had been agreed. A second amendment rejecting the Bill has been put forward by York Central MP Rachael Maskell with backing from 138 disability groups, saying disabled people had "yet to have agency in this process".
Maskell's amendment is reported to have been signed by only around 35 Labour MPs - far fewer than the 83 needed to overturn Starmer's majority. However, it would still deliver the largest rebellion of his premiership just before the first anniversary of Labour's election victory.
Review timing concerns
Other sceptical MPs are expected to abstain on Tuesday but could vote against the Bill next week without further concessions. One chief concern revolves around a review of PIP to be carried out by Sir Stephen and "co-produced" with disabled people.
His review is not expected to report until autumn next year, making it difficult to incorporate findings into PIP changes due at the same time. Abrahams suggested the timing meant the outcome was "pre-determined", while Sarah Owen, another select committee chairwoman, warned it could create a "three-tier" benefit system.
Disability groups maintain opposition
Groups including Disability Rights UK and Disabled People Against Cuts criticised the Government's claim that Sir Stephen's review would be "co-produced" with them. They urged Labour rebels to stand firm, saying: "The Government have made it very clear that they are intent on slashing the support that so many disabled people rely on to work and live independently."
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said her party's MPs would vote against the proposals, describing them as "not serious welfare reform". She accused ministers of having "watered down the small savings Labour were making". The original proposals were expected to save £4.8 billion by 2030, but Kendall revealed on Monday that revised proposals would likely save less than half that figure.
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
