Sir Keir Starmer is facing the biggest rebellion of his premiership over planned benefits cuts, with more than 100 Labour MPs saying they won’t back his sweeping welfare reforms in a vote expected next month.
The proposals, outlined in the Spring Statement, aim to bring down the benefits bill by £4.3 billion.
Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, has drawn concern with plans to restrict Personal Independence Payments (PIP) to only the most disabled adults and make under-22s ineligible for Universal Credit. Around 130 MPs have signed a letter to Alan Campbell, the Government’s Chief Whip, stating that Sir Keir must change course or risk defeat in the Commons.
The rebellion extends into the Government, with some parliamentary private secretaries wavering on the issue. The revolt comes amid growing anger over Sir Keir and Ms Reeves’s decision to strip winter fuel payments from 10 million pensioners, blamed for Labour’s local elections drubbing this month.
The letter, first reported by Good Morning Britain, expresses “significant concern” over the changes to PIP and Universal Credit. It demands an extended consultation on the Pathways to Work green paper and an independent analysis of the proposals. The MPs argue that the Bill should be delayed to reflect the findings.
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According to the Government’s figures, the welfare cuts will push 250,000 people into poverty, including 50,000 children. About 3.2 million families are set to lose out financially. Labour MPs are demanding concessions, including an impact assessment of the reforms.
The Government’s working majority in the Commons is 165, meaning the estimated 130 rebels could force a parliamentary defeat. This isn’t the first time Labour MPs have expressed dissatisfaction; 42 MPs signed a separate letter last week calling the changes “the biggest attack” on the welfare system since George Osborne’s austerity policies.
The biggest revolt of Sir Keir’s premiership to date took place in September when 53 Labour MPs abstained on his winter fuel cuts. Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, admitted the changes had proven costly at the ballot box, with Labour losing 187 county council seats largely to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.
The Conservatives have said the planned welfare reforms don’t go far enough, with Kemi Badenoch, the Tory leader, suggesting the welfare budget should be smaller than defence spending. The welfare cuts are part of an apparent shift to the Right by the Government, accelerated by Reform’s rise.
Liz Kendall, the Work and Pensions Secretary, is engaging with concerned MPs, with talks expected to intensify before the Bill’s publication. MPs leading the rebellion are holding regular briefings on the cuts’ impacts and plan to run a “myth-busting” session next month. Ms Kendall believes she has a strong argument and that MPs will be won over once the Bill is published.
