Prime Minister Keir Starmer has vowed to press on with the controversial reforms to disability benefits – despite being rocked by a revolt of at least 119 Labour MPs
Labour rebels have hit back at Keir Starmer as he defied calls to abandon plans to slash disability benefits.
The Prime Minister vowed to press on with the controversial reforms – despite being rocked by a revolt of at least 119 Labour MPs. They have signed an amendment rejecting the government’s proposals, which include restricting eligibility for Personal Independence Payments (PIP) – a key disability benefit.
The size of the rebellion is enough to threaten Mr Starmer’s Commons majority.
On Tuesday the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, also urged the government to “think again” as he warned the cuts will “destroy the financial safety net” of thousands in a major intervention.
But Mr Starmer appeared defiant on Tuesday when asked whether he would delay next week’s crunch vote on the reforms. He said: “We were elected to change what is broken in our country. The welfare system is broken, and that’s why we will press ahead with our reforms. It’s very important that we do so, because the current system is not working for anybody.
“People are trapped in it, and I’m not prepared to allow that to happen. So we will press forward with our reforms.”
One Labour rebel who has signed an amendment rejecting the reforms told The Mirror : “No10 need to take their fingers out of their ears and recognise the strength of feeling in the PLP [Parliamentary Labour Party].
“We are in this position because they have refused to listen or engage and now more than 100 MPs feel they have no choice than to publicly state their opposition. We can find a compromise that will achieve the government’s objectives and protect disabled people but No10 has to engage.”
Another said Labour MPs “won’t be bullied” into voting for the plans. They added: “I genuinely think the government is at risk of losing [the vote].”
It came as Mr Starmer was forced to say the vote next week is “not a confidence vote” in his leadership after rumours of MPs were being warned. “It’s not a confidence vote. It’s a vote about reforming our welfare system,” he said. It isn’t working. It doesn’t help people into work. Quite the contrary, it actually makes it harder for people to go into work. I think most colleagues do accept the case for reform, we’ve got to get on and make that reform.”
Legislation introduced into Parliament last week includes a tightening of the criteria for PIP. Around 800,000 people are set to lose out on the benefit under the Government’s proposals to slash £5billion from the welfare bill by 2030.
James Watson-O’Neill, Chief Executive of the national disability charity Sense, said: “The government’s proposed welfare reforms would be devastating for disabled people, and we applaud the MPs pushing back against this unjust policy.”
He added: “These plans risk pushing hundreds of thousands into poverty and isolation, while sending a deeply damaging message that disabled people are less valued in our society. Disabled people are telling us they’re worried they won’t be able to heat their homes, put food on the table, or afford the therapies they rely on. These are not luxuries – they are basic needs.
“We urge the government to listen to the voices of disabled people – and their own MPs who are opposing these cuts – and urgently rethink these proposals.”
Foodbank charity Trussell’s director policy Helen Barnard added: “MPs who have signed this reasoned amendment are taking a stand for the disabled people, carers, and food banks who are terrified at the potentially devastating impact of the bill.
“If the cuts go ahead, nearly half a million people will be pushed into severe hardship, at risk of needing to turn to a food bank. If it proceeds, this government risks leaving a legacy of increased hunger and hardship. We would encourage as many as MPs as possible to join the ones who have already followed the evidence and the voices of their constituents and sign the amendment.”