Starmer U-turn on disability benefits sparks SNP criticism

upday.com 11 godzin temu

Scotland's Social Justice Secretary has demanded the UK Government abandon its "unfair" welfare reforms after Sir Keir Starmer (Labour) made a dramatic last-minute U-turn on disability benefit cuts. The Prime Minister shelved plans to restrict eligibility for personal independence payment just 90 minutes before a crucial Commons vote.

Shirley-Anne Somerville was responding after the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill passed its first legislative hurdle at Westminster. The SNP MSP criticised the Government's approach despite the major concession on disability benefits.

Starmer ditches welfare reform plans

In a significant climbdown as MPs prepared to vote, Starmer abandoned a mainstay of his welfare reform agenda to get the draft laws through the House of Commons. Any changes to personal independence payment eligibility will now only come after a review of the benefit.

Under Scotland's devolved social security system, personal independence payment is currently being replaced by the Adult Disability Payment. Ms Somerville reiterated the Scottish Government's pledge not to cut that benefit.

Scottish minister condemns approach

"Despite the panicked, last-minute concessions they have made, if the UK Government presses ahead with cuts to disability support they will plunge more people into poverty," said the SNP MSP. "That is unconscionable."

She warned the approach "risks creating a deeply unfair two-tier system, pushing the impact of cuts onto future applicants for disability benefits". Ms Somerville added: "The UK Government needs to stop balancing the books on the backs of some of the most vulnerable people in society."

Largest Labour rebellion yet

The legislation passed by 335 votes to 260, with a majority of 75. Despite the late concession on disability payments, there were 49 Labour rebels in the largest revolt so far of Starmer's premiership.

Ms Somerville called on the Government to "properly listen to the overwhelming criticism their proposals have generated and do the right thing by disabled people by abandoning this bill entirely". She reassured disabled people in Scotland that "the Scottish Government will not cut Scotland's Adult Disability Payment, we will not let disabled people down as the UK Government has done".

(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.

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