More than 100 Labour MPs have signed a major amendment that blocks the Government’s PIP and Universal Credit welfare reforms – but a minister today said the move is not sensible
Over 100 Labour MPs have launched a major rebellion to block the government plans to cut sickness and disability benefits.
In a major blow to Keir Starmer – just seven days before a crucial vote – dozens of backbenchers have put their name to an amendment that rejects the Bill. If passed, the motion, signed by 108 MPs so far, would effectively kill the legislation that seeks to restrict eligibility for Personal Independence Payments – a key disability benefit.
It means the Prime Minister could lose the vote if he presses ahead without concessions. But Labour frontbencher Pat McFadden this morning dismissed the amendment as “not sensible” and said there would be no changes. He defiantly said: “We wil face the vote.”
Among those who have signed the amendment are 10 powerful chairs of Commons committees, including Dame Meg Hillier, the chairwoman of the Public Accounts Committee, and Debbie Abrahams, the chairwoman of the Work and Pensions Committe.
Other signatories include the Labour MP Vicky Foxcroft, who quit as a government whip over the cuts to welfare last week, and former Transport Secretary Louise Haigh. The rebels warn the government the measures have not been subject to a formal consultation with disabled people ahead of next week’s vote.
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And it also highlights the government’s own analysis showing 250,000 people – including 50,000 kids – could be pushed into poverty as a result of the reforms.
Ms Abrahams told the BBC’s Radio 4 Today Programme that while rebels support the need to reform, the impact of the changes are still up in the air. She said: “So first of all the bulk of the employment support that’s meant to come online doesn’t actually come online until the end of the decade.
“We know that, for example, the government’s own assessment has estimated that 250,000 people will be pushed into poverty, including 50,000 children. Charities suggest it’s a lot more than that.
“There hasn’t been an estimate in terms of the impact on health and care needs, although we know from previous similar reforms that there was a significant adverse impact on on health.” She stated: “We will work at pace with the government, to get reforms that we think can work.”
Anneliese Midgley, one of the Labour rebels, wrote: “The proposals are rushed. They will financially penalise disabled people and risk pushing some people away from work.”
One source told The Mirror the names on the amendment “very much represent the full breadth of the PLP (Parliamentary Labour Party ) – people who are at the wits end in trying to get the government to listen”. She denied that the digruntled MPs were “firing a missile” at the Government.
They warned: “This is last chance saloon to get the government to think again.” And they said MPs are “being asked to vote blind” with the amendment designed to demonstrate to the government “we have the numbers to defeat the Bill”.
Legislation introduced into Parliament last week includes a tightening of the criteria for Personal Independence Payments (PIP) – a key disability benefit. Around 800,000 people are set to lose out on the benefit under the Government’s proposals. The government’s own impact assessment said the overall reforms risk pushing 250,000, including 50,000 children into poverty.
The Mirror understands Ms Kendall told Labour MPs on Monday evening at the PLP the changes were needed to ensure the welfare state “survives”. Facing rebellious backbenchers, the Cabinet minister also insisted there will “always be a safety net for those who need it”.
Ms Kendall is understood to have said: “Our plans are rooted in fairness – for those who need support and for taxpayers. They are about ensuring the welfare state survives, so there is always a safety net for those who need it. They’re about putting proper safeguards in place to protect the most vulnerable.
“But above all they are about our belief that everyone can fulfil their potential and live their hopes and dreams when – collectively – we provide them with real opportunities and support. This is the better future we seek to build for our constituents and our country.”
Asked if the amendment was “sensible”, Mr McFadden told Sky News on Tuesday morning: “I don’t think so.. Reforming welfare is really important. I don’t think we should, be relaxed about a situation where the number of people on disability benefits is projected to double in the course of a decade.
“That’s not good for them, it’s hugely costly for the country.”
He then defiantly said the Government would not meet Labour rebels halfway, saying: “We’ll face the vote. And we’re always happy to talk to MPs and people who’ve got, concerns about the package. We will always talk to them, but we can’t shy away from the need to reform the system. If we did, we’d be saying, that we are content to see this grow both in numbers and costs, year on year. “