Merseyside Labour MPs in turmoil as some prepare to vote against government welfare bill
The original bill sought to reduce the number of people who would qualify for the personal independence payment (PIP) and cut the health-related element of universal credit (UC). Ministers have previously said the reforms could save up to £5bn a year.
But facing a rebellion that at one stage included around 120 Labour MPs - enough to kill the bill - the government has outlined a number of concessions.
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The changes mean that current PIP claimants will keep their benefits, with stricter eligibility rules only coming in for new claimants from November 2026. Those currently receiving the health element of UC would see their money rising in line with inflation.
But while these concessions may have won over a number of would-be rebels, some remain unhappy and preparing to vote against their own government in today's showdown in the Commons.
The ECHO has reached out to a number of Labour MPs in the region.
Both Liverpool West Derby MP Ian Byrne and Liverpool Riverside MP Kim Johnson confirmed that as things stand, they will be voting against the government.
They were two of six regional MPs who last week signed what is known as a reasoned amendment, which, if passed, would have stopped the welfare reform bill getting a second reading in the House of Commons, effectively defeating the government's plans.
The other MPs in the region who signed the amendment - prior to the offer of any concessions - were Southport representative Patrick Hurley, Knowsley MP Anneleise Midgley, St Helens South and Whiston member Marie Rimmer and Liverpool Wavertree MP Paula Barker.
Some Merseyside Labour MPs told the ECHO last night that they were still yet to decide on how they will vote today and would be waiting to hear from Work and Pensions Liz Kendall in the chamber.
One said they remained conflicted, stating: "The offer to us critics so far has protected the incomes of hundreds of thousands of people and prevented 50,000 children being pushed into poverty.
"The material difference is tangible and huge. But people who need it - the disabled who can never work, those who have PTSD because of war or horrendous domestic abuse do need to be ok in the future.
"There are other things we can do to get the benefits bill down while protecting those people."
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