Charities have reacted with fury over cuts to health-related Universal Credit payments, and 47 Labour MPs broke ranks to vote against the Government’s stripped down welfare Bill
Dozens of Labour MPs have again rebelled against controversial welfare reforms that have sparked fury among charities.
Forty seven broke ranks over plans to cut health-related Universal Credit payments expected to impact an estimated 750,000 disabled people. Those affected will lose around £3,000 a year by 2030 in a move branded a “stain” on the Labour Party.
Charities hit out after the Government’s stripped-down Universal Credit Bill passed its final Commons hurdle with a majority of 94. They warned it would have a devastating impact on those whose payments are slashed.
It comes after Keir Starmer and Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall were forced to make major concessions last week. Ministers backed raising the Universal Credit standard allowance at least in line with inflation – a move they say will see four million households £725 a year better off. But the Bill will see new claimants who sign up to health-related payments receive a lower rate.
Backbencher Rachael Maskell – who voted against the Government – told the Commons: “To pass this Bill tonight will leave such a stain on this great party founded on the values of equality and justice.” The limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA) benefit will be roughly halved for those who claim it from April 2026, unless they are terminally ill or meet a set of “severe conditions criteria”.
See if your MP supported the Bill using our tool below, and scroll down to see a full list of Labour rebels
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Pre-2026 claimants will receive £423.27 but new claimants will receive £217.26. Juliet Tizzard, Director of External Relations at Parkinson’s UK, said: “The government’s decision to cut Universal Credit costs is appalling. We believe that, despite the government’s claims, savings are being made by effectively making people with Parkinson’s ineligible for the higher rate health element.
“The Bill clearly states that someone must be constantly unable to do certain tasks to qualify. This will penalise people with Parkinson’s, whose symptoms come and go. Until we can be certain that people with fluctuating conditions will not be penalised, we’ll continue campaigning for a fair system.
“We’re thankful to the MPs who tried to stop the changes to Universal Credit, and for every campaigner who raised their voice. We stopped the cuts to PIP, and while we’re disappointed by the result today, this setback won’t stop us.”
Former Labour MP Zarah Sultana, who last week quit as a Labour member more than a year after having the whip withdrawn, said: “This is a Government not only out of touch but also morally bankrupt. It works for billionaires and big businesses but turns its back on disabled people.”
But the Government argues reform is badly needed to better support people getting back into work. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said: “Our reforms are built on the principle of fairness, fixing a system that for too long has left people trapped in a cycle of dependence. We are giving extra support to millions of households across the country, while offering disabled people the chance to work without fear of the repercussions if things don’t work out.
“These reforms will change the lives of people across the country, so they have a real chance for a better future.”
The Government had initially proposed limiting access to personal independence payments (PIP) and health aspects of Universal Credit. Its own analysis suggested this would drag 250,000 people into poverty, including 50,000 childrens.
The controversial measures were set to save around £5billion a year. But outraged Labour MPs refused to back the Bill, prompting the Government to announce a review of PIP headed by DWP minister Sir Stephen TImms.
No changes to PIP will be made until this is complete, rebels were told in a massive concession. Earlier this week the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said the changes will now pull 50,000 children out of poverty.
Helen Barnard, director of policy, research and impact at food bank charity Trussell, said: “We are deeply concerned about the cuts being made to Universal Credit health payments for disabled and ill people applying in the future.
“The scale of the remaining cuts in this ill-conceived bill will still be devastating and risks pushing more disabled people to food banks. Life costs more if you’re disabled. Cutting this part of our social security system will mean 9 in 10 disabled people newly claiming the Universal Credit health element will miss out on around £3,000 worth of support on average by 2029/30.
“It makes no sense to rip support away from people in the future, just because their health has worsened, they become disabled, or their income drops after an arbitrary date. “
And Jon Sparkes, chief executive of learning disability charity Mencap said: “By pushing ahead with these cuts, the Government will leave future claimants £3000 a year worse off. This will condemn disabled people with the most complex needs – people who cannot work and have no alternative income – to poverty and a lifetime of existing rather than living.
“It’s important the Government is committed to listening to the needs of disabled people in reforming the PIP system. People with a learning disability should be at the heart of these reforms and we welcome today’s commitment and reassurance that this will happen.”
Full list of Labour rebels
Abtisam Mohamed – Sheffield Central
Alison Hume – Scarborough and Whitby
Andy McDonald – Middlesbrough and Thornaby East
Barry Gardiner – Brent West
Bell Ribeiro-Addy – Clapham and Brixton Hill
Brian Leishman – Alloa and Grangemouth
Cat Eccles – Stourbridge
Chris Bloore – Redditch
Chris Hinchliff – North East Hertfordshire
Clive Lewis – Norwich South
Dawn Butler – Brent East
Derek Twigg – Widnes and Halewood
Diane Abbott – Hackney North and Stoke Newington
Emma Lewell – South Shields
Euan Stainbank – Falkirk
Graham Stringer – Blackley and Middleton South
Grahame Morris – Easington
Ian Byrne – Liverpool West Derby
Ian Lavery – Blyth and Ashington
Imran Hussain – Bradford East
Irene Campbell – North Ayrshire and Arran
Jon Trickett – Normanton and Hemsworth
Jonathan Brash – Hartlepool
Kate Osborne – Jarrow and Gateshead East
Kim Johnson – Liverpool Riverside
Lee Barron – Corby and East Northamptonshire
Lorraine Beavers – Blackpool North and Fleetwood
Margaret Mullane – Dagenham and Rainham
Marie Rimmer – St Helens South and Whiston
Marsha De Cordova – Battersea
Mary Glindon – Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend
Mary Kelly Foy – City of Durham
Maureen Burke – Glasgow North East
Mohammad Yasin – Bedford
Nadia Whittome – Nottingham East
Navendu Mishra – Stockport
Neil Duncan-Jordan – Poole
Olivia Blake – Sheffield Hallam
Paula Barker – Liverpool Wavertree
Peter Dowd – Bootle
Rachael Maskell – York Central
Rebecca Long Bailey – Salford
Richard Burgon – Leeds East
Rosena Allin-Khan – Tooting
Simon Opher – Stroud
Stella Creasy – Walthamstow
Tracy Gilbert – Edinburgh North and Leith
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