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Government confirms welfare climbdown in deal with rebels Government confirms welfare climbdown in deal with rebels
(32 minutes later)
The government has confirmed it will make changes to its welfare bill following pressure from Labour rebels on its planned changes to benefits. The government has confirmed it will make major concessions to rebels in its own party over its planned benefits reforms.
In a letter to MPs, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said claimants of the Personal Independence Payment (Pip) will continue to receive what they currently get, as will recipients of the health element of Universal Credit. Instead, planned cuts will only hit future claimants. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall told Labour MPs that claimants of the Personal Independence Payment (Pip) will continue to receive what they currently get, as will recipients of the health element of Universal Credit. Instead, planned cuts will only hit future claimants.
The concessions amount to a massive climbdown from the government, which was facing the prospect of defeat if it failed to accommodate the demands of over 100 backbenchers. The government made the climbdown after facing the prospect of defeat in the Commons if it failed to accommodate the demands of more than 100 backbenchers.
A No 10 spokesperson said in a statement: "We have listened to MPs who support the principle of reform but are worried about the pace of change for those already supported by the system. A No 10 spokesperson said it had listened to MPs "who support the principle of reform but are worried about the pace of change".
"This package will preserve the social security system for those who need it by putting it on a sustainable footing, provide dignity for those unable to work, supports those who can and reduce anxiety for those currently in the system. "This package will preserve the social security system for those who need it by putting it on a sustainable footing, provide dignity for those unable to work, supports those who can and reduce anxiety for those currently in the system," they added.
"Our reforms are underpinned by Labour values and our determination to deliver the change the country voted for last year." The government hoped to save £5bn a year by 2030 with its welfare bill, while slowing the increase in people claiming benefits. Working-age health-related benefits are estimated to cost an extra £30bn by 2029 without reforms.
Ministers are also expected to fast-track a £1bn support plan originally scheduled for 2029. But the government faced growing discontent from around 120 of its own MPs over the changes.
It comes after Sir Keir Starmer spent Thursday making calls to shore up support among the 120 Labour MPs who backed an amendment to stop the government's flagship welfare bill, ahead of a Commons vote on Tuesday. Sir Keir Starmer spent Thursday making calls to shore up support among Labour MPs who backed an amendment to stop the government's flagship welfare bill, ahead of a Commons vote on Tuesday.
Speaking in the Commons earlier, Sir Keir said he wanted to "see reform implemented with Labour values and fairness".Speaking in the Commons earlier, Sir Keir said he wanted to "see reform implemented with Labour values and fairness".
As well as changing who will be affected by the cuts, ministers are also expected to fast-track a £1bn support plan originally scheduled for 2029.
Dame Meg Hillier, who had led the effort to block changes to disability benefits, said she would now support the government's welfare bill as "it is a good step forward".Dame Meg Hillier, who had led the effort to block changes to disability benefits, said she would now support the government's welfare bill as "it is a good step forward".
There had been a "big change since last week", she said, which would "ensure the most vulnerable people are protected".There had been a "big change since last week", she said, which would "ensure the most vulnerable people are protected".
Dame Meg said that she was pleased that the changes would mean "involving disabled people themselves in the future design" of benefits.Dame Meg said that she was pleased that the changes would mean "involving disabled people themselves in the future design" of benefits.
Broadly speaking, the rebels have told the BBC their colleagues are happy with the concessions, meaning the bill is now likely to pass.Broadly speaking, the rebels have told the BBC their colleagues are happy with the concessions, meaning the bill is now likely to pass.
Peter Lamb, Labour MP for Crawley, wrote on social media that he would still not support the bill - calling the changes "insufficient" and accusing ministers of ignoring better options. But Peter Lamb, Labour MP for Crawley, wrote on social media that he would still not support the bill - calling the changes "insufficient" and accusing ministers of ignoring better options.
The Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill would change who could qualify for certain disability and sickness benefits.The Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill would change who could qualify for certain disability and sickness benefits.
Ministers had said the legislation, which aims to save £5bn a year by 2030, is crucial to slow the increase in the number of people claiming benefits.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves had factored these cuts into her Spring Statement - designed to help meet her economic plans - but it is now unclear how the fresh changes will affect these.Chancellor Rachel Reeves had factored these cuts into her Spring Statement - designed to help meet her economic plans - but it is now unclear how the fresh changes will affect these.
Working-age health-related benefit spending has increased from £36bn to £52bn in the five years between 2019 and 2024, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) think tank.Working-age health-related benefit spending has increased from £36bn to £52bn in the five years between 2019 and 2024, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) think tank.
It is expected to double to £66bn by 2029, without changes to the system.It is expected to double to £66bn by 2029, without changes to the system.
But Labour MPs have criticised elements of government proposals, including plans to require Pip claimants to prove they need a higher degree of assistance with tasks such as preparing and eating food, communicating, washing and getting dressed.But Labour MPs have criticised elements of government proposals, including plans to require Pip claimants to prove they need a higher degree of assistance with tasks such as preparing and eating food, communicating, washing and getting dressed.
The bill has its second reading on Tuesday, the first opportunity for MPs to support or reject it.The bill has its second reading on Tuesday, the first opportunity for MPs to support or reject it.
If the legislation clears this hurdle, it will then face a few hours' examination by all MPs the following week - rather than days or weeks in front of a committee.If the legislation clears this hurdle, it will then face a few hours' examination by all MPs the following week - rather than days or weeks in front of a committee.
This is now the third government U-turn in a month - a major blow to the prime minister's authority.This is now the third government U-turn in a month - a major blow to the prime minister's authority.
It follows on from Sir Keir reversing cuts to winter fuel payments, and ordering a grooming gangs inquiry he initially resisted.It follows on from Sir Keir reversing cuts to winter fuel payments, and ordering a grooming gangs inquiry he initially resisted.
One of the main co-ordinators behind the welfare amendment, who did not wish to be named, told the BBC the winter fuel decision had emboldened many of the rebels this time.One of the main co-ordinators behind the welfare amendment, who did not wish to be named, told the BBC the winter fuel decision had emboldened many of the rebels this time.
They told the BBC that MPs "all voted for winter fuel [cuts] and have taken so much grief in our constituencies, so colleagues think: why should I take that on again?"They told the BBC that MPs "all voted for winter fuel [cuts] and have taken so much grief in our constituencies, so colleagues think: why should I take that on again?"
The Tories described the concessions understood to have been offered to Labour rebels as "the latest in a growing list of screeching U-turns" from the government.The Tories described the concessions understood to have been offered to Labour rebels as "the latest in a growing list of screeching U-turns" from the government.
Shadow chancellor Mel Stride said: "Under pressure from his own MPs, Starmer has made another completely unfunded spending commitment."Shadow chancellor Mel Stride said: "Under pressure from his own MPs, Starmer has made another completely unfunded spending commitment."
Natalie Amber, an actor and disability rights campaigner, who receives Pip but still stands to lose it next year, described the reported change to the government's proposals as "disingenuous" on BBC Newsnight.Natalie Amber, an actor and disability rights campaigner, who receives Pip but still stands to lose it next year, described the reported change to the government's proposals as "disingenuous" on BBC Newsnight.
Actor and disability rights campaigner Natalie Amber told BBC Newsnight that losing her Pip would have a "massive impact"Actor and disability rights campaigner Natalie Amber told BBC Newsnight that losing her Pip would have a "massive impact"
The government were "looking at saving their own reputation", she added.The government were "looking at saving their own reputation", she added.
One of the rebels, Alex Sobel, the MP for Leeds Central and Headingley, also told the programme he was concerned the changes could create a "two-tier" system could exist in future. One of the rebels, Alex Sobel, the MP for Leeds Central and Headingley, also told the programme he was concerned the changes could create a "two-tier" system.
It is understood that plans for the amendment began when Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall offered a partial olive branch to rebels by expanding the transition period for anyone losing Pip from four to 13 weeks.It is understood that plans for the amendment began when Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall offered a partial olive branch to rebels by expanding the transition period for anyone losing Pip from four to 13 weeks.
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