Sir Keir Starmer still facing open revolt on welfare after £2.5bn softening fails to appease Labour MPs
THE PM is still facing open revolt on welfare after a £2.5billion softening failed to appease dozens of Labour MPs.
Sir Keir Starmer is expected to win today's vote after making concessions to peel off some rebels.
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Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall yesterday said: 'We listened and are making positive changes.'
She told MPs the climbdown will cost £2.5billion by 2030, wiping out over half the savings ministers promised.
But dozens of backbenchers remain mutinous, with figures showing the watered-down reforms will still push 150,000 people into poverty by 2030.
More than 50 MPs are still expected to rebel — down from 124 but enough to scrape the vote over the line.
Debbie Abrahams, who led Labour talks with ministers, said the government has already rowed back on what was agreed.
Labour MP Nadia Whittome blasted: 'As Labour MPs, we didn't enter politics to make struggling constituents poorer.'
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he still had concerns and demanded further changes.
The softening means claimants already receiving Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and the health element of Universal Credit will be protected from tougher eligibility rules. The tougher tests will now only apply to new claimants from November 2026.
Backbenchers said it risks being a 'three-tier' system of existing claimants, new claimants hit by changes, and those reassessed after the review.
No 10 refused to rule out last-minute concessions if Labour whips smell defeat.
Changes to UC & PIP payments in full as Labour reveals bruising welfare bill concessions in bid to quell rebellion
Tories said the changes leave a hole in Chancellor Rachel Reeves ' Budget, forcing her to make cuts or hike taxes. Kemi Badenoch said: 'The welfare budget is out of control.'
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