Keir Starmer confirms he will have 'conversation' with Labour rebels over benefit cuts
The Prime Minister said he wants his welfare reforms to be "implemented with Labour values of fairness".
Keir Starmer has confirmed he will have a "conversation" with Labour rebels over benefit cuts.
The Prime Minister said he wants his welfare reforms to be "implemented with Labour values of fairness".
It comes as more than 120 Labour MPs - 12 of them Scottish - have signed an amendment against Labour's plans to slash Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Universal Credit (UC). They will get a chance to vote on the bill and amendment on Tuesday.
Starmer told the Commons on Thursday morning: 'On social security, I recognise there is a consensus across the House on the urgent need for reform of our welfare system, because the British people deserve protection and dignity when they are unable to work and supported to work when they can.
'At the moment, they are failed every single day by the broken system created by the Conservatives, which achieves neither.
'I know colleagues across the House are eager to start fixing that, and so am I, and that all colleagues want to get this right, and so do I.
'We want to see reform implemented with Labour values of fairness. That conversation will continue in the coming days, so we can begin making change together on Tuesday.'
The amendment supported by the rebels would give them an opportunity to reject the welfare reform bill.
The wording backs the 'need for the reform of the social security system' but criticises the lack of a 'formal consultation' with disabled people and warns of the impact on poverty levels.
They also hit out at their own Government for not publishing an 'assessment of the impact of these reforms on health or care needs'.
The Scottish Labour sceptics are Richard Baker, Scott Arthur, Euan Stainbank, Brian Leishman, Lilian Jones, Tracy Gilbert, Elaine Stewart, Kirsteen Sullivan and Patricia Ferguson.
Maureen Burke, Martin Rhodes and Irene Campbell have since added their names.
The Record understands there are other MPs who have not signed the amendment who may not back the cuts in a vote next week.
There are 11 Scottish MPs in the UK Government - plus two other MPs who are 'mission champions' - who would almost definitely have to resign from their roles to rebel.
Labour MP Brian Leishman said on Thursday morning that concessions are "not enough". But other Scottish Labour MPs have said they are waiting for detail of the Government's concessions.
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