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Keir Starmer climbs down on welfare bill after Labour MP backlash Keir Starmer climbs down on welfare bill after Labour MP backlash
(about 2 hours later)
The government has confirmed it will make major concessions to rebels in its own party over its planned benefits reforms.The government has confirmed it will make major concessions to rebels in its own party over its planned benefits reforms.
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.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 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.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.
Stephen Kinnock, the minister for care, said it had been "a positive and constructive process" with "a clear agreement" reached.Stephen Kinnock, the minister for care, said it had been "a positive and constructive process" with "a clear agreement" reached.
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Chris Mason: This is the most awkward of Labour's U-turn hat-trickChris Mason: This is the most awkward of Labour's U-turn hat-trick
He told BBC Breakfast that the government had struck "the right balance" between protecting the vulnerable and reforming a "broken system", and said he was confident the reforms would now pass in Parliament.He told BBC Breakfast that the government had struck "the right balance" between protecting the vulnerable and reforming a "broken system", and said he was confident the reforms would now pass in Parliament.
But while the rebels told the BBC their colleagues are happy with the concessions - meaning the government's welfare bill will not be blocked in a vote on Tuesday - some Labour MPs have said they will still vote against the proposals.But while the rebels told the BBC their colleagues are happy with the concessions - meaning the government's welfare bill will not be blocked in a vote on Tuesday - some Labour MPs have said they will still vote against the proposals.
The government originally hoped to save £5bn a year by 2030 with its Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill - which would change who could qualify for certain disability and sickness benefits - aiming to slow the rise in claimants.The government originally hoped to save £5bn a year by 2030 with its Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill - which would change who could qualify for certain disability and sickness benefits - aiming to slow the rise in claimants.
Working-age health-related benefits are estimated to cost an extra £30bn by 2029 without reforms.Working-age health-related benefits are estimated to cost an extra £30bn by 2029 without reforms.
But the government faced growing discontent from around 120 of its own MPs over the changes, who criticised proposals such as a requirement for 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 the government faced growing discontent from around 120 of its own MPs over the changes, who criticised proposals such as a requirement for Pip claimants to prove they need a higher degree of assistance with tasks such as preparing and eating food, communicating, washing and getting dressed.
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.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.
Earlier, Sir Keir had told the Commons he wanted to "see reform implemented with Labour values and fairness".Earlier, Sir Keir had told the Commons 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.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 led the effort to block the government's proposals, said she would now support the government's welfare bill, telling the BBC ministers had offered "reassuring measures".Dame Meg Hillier, who led the effort to block the government's proposals, said she would now support the government's welfare bill, telling the BBC ministers had offered "reassuring measures".
Asked if her fellow Labour MPs would now back the bill, she said the news had arrived late on Thursday evening but she had "already had a flurry of messages from people saying this is a good step forward".Asked if her fellow Labour MPs would now back the bill, she said the news had arrived late on Thursday evening but she had "already had a flurry of messages from people saying this is a good step forward".
She added that if the government had listened more to its MPs, "we might have been in a better place".She added that if the government had listened more to its MPs, "we might have been in a better place".
Pressed on how the changes would be paid for, Dame Meg acknowledged it would be "a challenge" for the chancellor but added: "We cannot take the money out of the pockets of disabled people who have got no other options."Pressed on how the changes would be paid for, Dame Meg acknowledged it would be "a challenge" for the chancellor but added: "We cannot take the money out of the pockets of disabled people who have got no other options."
While Dame Meg is now backing the bill, Nadia Whittome, Labour MP for Nottingham East, said she would still be voting against it unless disabled people received further protections - and that she would be "far from the only one".While Dame Meg is now backing the bill, Nadia Whittome, Labour MP for Nottingham East, said she would still be voting against it unless disabled people received further protections - and that she would be "far from the only one".
"All of the MPs I've spoken to who signed the recent amendment - across the party, not just on the left - are sticking to their position because we understand that we're answerable to our constituents," she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme."All of the MPs I've spoken to who signed the recent amendment - across the party, not just on the left - are sticking to their position because we understand that we're answerable to our constituents," she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
Asked several times on BBC Breakfast whether the row was over, Anna Dixon, chair of the all-party parliamentary group on carers and welfare cuts, said it was "very difficult" to say because the process had been "all quite rushed".Asked several times on BBC Breakfast whether the row was over, Anna Dixon, chair of the all-party parliamentary group on carers and welfare cuts, said it was "very difficult" to say because the process had been "all quite rushed".
Tuesday's vote is the first opportunity for MPs to support or reject the bill.Tuesday's vote is the first opportunity for MPs to support or reject the bill.
The government could still face defeat if 83 Labour backbenchers, along with other opposition parties, attempt to block the bill.
If it 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 it 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.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves had factored savings from the 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 savings from the cuts into her Spring Statement - designed to help meet her economic plans - but it is now unclear how the fresh changes will affect these.
Ruth Curtice, head of the Resolution Foundation, said the government's U-turn could cost up to £3bn.Ruth Curtice, head of the Resolution Foundation, said the government's U-turn could cost up to £3bn.
Working-age health-related benefit spending has increased from £36bn to £52bn 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 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.
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."
The Liberal Democrats said they would continue to oppose the bill arguing it will "cause immense damage to some of the most vulnerable".
One of the rebels, Alex Sobel, the MP for Leeds Central and Headingley, also told BBC Newsnight he was concerned the changes could create a "two-tier" system - a concern echoed by other Labour backbenchers.One of the rebels, Alex Sobel, the MP for Leeds Central and Headingley, also told BBC Newsnight he was concerned the changes could create a "two-tier" system - a concern echoed by other Labour backbenchers.
Challenged on this, Kinnock said ministers were reforming a "complex system" in a "staggered way".Challenged on this, Kinnock said ministers were reforming a "complex system" in a "staggered way".
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.
A No 10 spokesperson said: "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."A No 10 spokesperson said: "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."
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