Liz Kendall confronted by furious Labour MPs over DWP cuts – ‘show more compassion’

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall faced the fury of Labour backbenchers as she announced plans to slash £5billion a year from the benefits bill by tightening eligibility rules

Liz Kendall was faced with the fury of Labour backbenchers as she announced £5billion of welfare cuts.

The Work and Pensions Secretary was warned that disabled people have been left “at breaking point” and urged to find a more “compassionate” approach. MPs lined up to voice their alarm about the long-awaited measures.

Clive Lewis told Ms Kendall his constituents, friends and family are “very angry” and questioned whether a Labour government should be making such cuts. And Debbie Abrahams, who chairs the Work and Pensions Committee, said there were “more compassionate” ways of saving money.

Mr Lewis told the Cabinet member: “When they made the decision to go down this route did they understand the pain and difficulty that this will cause millions of people, millions of our constituents, who are using foodbanks, who are using social supermarkers – people who are on the brink.

“This £5billion cut is going to impact them more than I think her department is giving credit for. I would like her department to be able to look my constituents in the eye to tell them this is going to work for them.

READ MORE: Benefit cuts live: DWP spending slashed and PIP changed as UK reacts to Labour’s plans

“Because as things stand my constituents, my friends, my family are very angry about this and they do not think this is the kind of action a Labour government takes.”

Ms Kendall hit back that she has chaired support group Feeding Leicester for years and said: “I know I can look my constituents in the eye and say to them I know getting more people into better paid jobs is the key to their success. If you can work, we will give you the help to get back on your feet.”

Ms Abrahams said the £5billion cut was the “largest cut in social security support since 2015”. She said: “I would put that there are alternative, more compassionate ways to balance the books rather than on the back of sick and disabled people.”

She said: “I implore our party to try and get our reforms to bed in first before we look to cuts, a point that others have made. There is so much evidence of the adverse effects the party opposite had with the cuts in support and the restrictions in eligibilty criteria when they were in government – including the deaths of vulnerable people.

“We can’t have a repeat of that.” Ms Abraham called on the government to publish analysis on the impact the measures would have.

Richard Burgon said tightening criteria could be devastating. “Isn’t it wrong to balance the books on the back of sick and disabled people in such a way?” he asked. Ms Kendall said the measures will focus PIP on “those with highest needs”.

Left-wing MP Ian Byrne said: “Many will see the removal of £5billion from the social security system as not a reform but a continuation of the failed ideology of Tory austerity which has already cost thousands of lives.

“That’s why I’ve had thousands of disabled constituents tell me they’re absolutely terrified of what the Government’s planning to do.” He accused ministers of “balancing the books on the backs of disabled people and the poor” rather than targeting the wealth of the super-rich.

Ms Kendall said: “That’s not what we’re doing, I don’t accept the status quo, I think it’s miserable for people who can work and miserable for people who can’t and that’s what I want to change.”

Florence Eshalomi questioned how effective the cuts would be, telling Ms Kendall: “I agree that many disabled and sick people want to work but the reality is cutting PIP will not address the reasons why they don’t.”

And she continued: “It took me six months to navigate this for my member of staff in the place where we legislate. How hard is it going to be for disabled people in the workplace to try and get those employers to make those adjustments?”

Durham MP Mary Kelly Foy warned the Government not to repeat mistakes made by the Tories. She said: “When cuts to incapacity support was introduced by the last Government… we saw severe rises in poverty with no significant increase in employment and cases of mental health skyrocketing. In the North East we already have some of the highest rates of poverty and ill health in the country.”

Ms Kendall responded: “It is absolutely about areas like the one represented by my honourable friend… action we’re taking to create more good jobs in every part of the country.”

And Imran Hussain, who represents Bradford, said: “The reality remains that over the last few weeks thousands of the most severely disabled people in my constituency and millions across the UK have watched in disbelief as politicians debate cuts to the support that enables their very survival, leaving many at breaking point.

“Does the Secretary of State understand the real fear and distress that this has caused and will she commit to ensuring that not a single person who currently receives PIP now is unfairly punished or left struggling by these plans?”

Ms Kendall responded: “I do understand the anxiery and worry… I don’t start from a position of being tough, I start by a position of compassion.” She said the current welfare system was “failing” and not helping enough people get back into work.

Backbenchers have called on ministers to consider a wealth tax – which would target those with assets of more than £10million. Labour MP Clive Efford said: “I’ve heard many people make a moral case for the changes that (Ms Kendall) has announced today.

“Does she agree that over the last 20 years those people with large amounts of wealth have done extremely well, whilst average household incomes have stagnated and the standard of living for the overwhelming majority has gone down?

“So while we make a moral case for changes to the benefits system, shouldn’t we also be making a case for how we tax wealth as opposed to income?”

Ms Kendall replied: “He is right that those with the broadest shoulders should bear the biggest burden and that’s why I’m very proud that we’ve tackled issues like closing loopholes in the non-dom tax status, why we’ve looked at the profits of the energy companies and many other areas. I think that’s an absolute principle for this Labour Party of fairness in the tax system.”

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