Welfare bill vote: Keir Starmer braced for revolt despite concessions

Times

a day ago

Peter Kyle, the science and technology secretary, has admitted the government should have reached an agreement earlier with MPs threatening to rebel against the welfare bill.
Kyle told Times Radio: 'As Keir Starmer, the prime minister said, there have been lessons learned. There have been lessons learned from our 11 months and I think that people will see that having learned those lessons that we'll be putting [them] into action going forward.
'For those MPs across the Labour Party who have worked constructively with Liz Kendall, the DWP secretary, and the prime minister, to improve the bill, we are extremely grateful and they will see the rewards of the constructive relationship that has been built in recent days.
'Should we have got there earlier? I think the answer is probably yes. But we are there, where we need to be now and I think you'll see the benefits of that later on today and certainly into the future of this government.'
Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, refused to reaffirm that she would not change her 'ironclad' fiscal rules when pressed to do so by Mel Stride, the shadow chancellor.
Stride said that the U-turns on winter fuel and concessions on welfare have added to the 'unfunded Labour black hole' and asked her to 'reconfirm that commitment' to her fiscal rules, or admit that the government are 'heading for yet another U-turn'.
Reeves responded: 'Well I would take it a bit more seriously if the party opposite were actually voting against the welfare reforms this evening, and if they hadn't committed to fully reversing the winter fuel changes which is going to cost a further £400 million that they can't explain.
'I'll give him this — he knows a thing or two about welfare spending. Because under his watch, the UK became the only country in the G7 with an employment rate below pre-pandemic levels.'
• Backbenchers have warned the government's plans would lead to a 'three-tier' benefits system in which people with the same disabilities receive different payments. They have urged the government to reconsider the legislation• Official modelling suggested that more than 150,000 people could still be pushed into relative poverty by the welfare measures, despite the concessions to MPs, down from 250,000 in the original assessment• MPs were initially concerned that the changes would lead to a spike in child poverty, but in an impact assessment written after the U-turn officials said there would now be a 'negligible' rise• Rebels raised concerns that a review of the policy, led by the social security minister, Stephen Timms and 'co-produced' with disabled people, would not be implemented before the change in the eligibility criteria came into force
The work and pensions secretary, Liz Kendall, made a statement to the House on Monday that outlined the concessions being put forward to the bill by the government.
She admitted that 'making changes is never easy' but said she believes the government 'must make sure those who can work get the support they need'.
After the statement Kendall faced a fierce set of questions from backbenchers, who were particularly concerned that the review into the welfare system is set to finish as the reforms come into practice.
Debbie Abrahams, chair of the work and pensions committee, said that the government 'should not predetermine' the results of the Timms review. Connor Naismith, Labour MP for Crewe and Nantwich, said the lack of clarity meant he could not vote for the bill 'without reassurance'.
The original bill tabled new eligibility requirements for PIP. New claimants would have to score a minimum of four points in at least one daily living activity, such as preparing food or washing, to qualify.
The changes were met with widespread opposition amongst Labour MPs, who raised concerns this could see people who need support to wash or dress lose their benefits.
126 MPs signed a reasoned amendment tabled by Dame Meg Hillier, chair of the Treasury select committee, which called to reject the bill entirely.
Last week the government made concessions that mean all current PIP claimants will not lose their eligibility. Hillier withdrew the amendment as a result, but some rebels are still concerned that the eligibility rules will create a two-tier system by only applying to future applicants.
A new rebel amendment was signed by 39 MPs and published this morning. Although this is a significantly reduced number, one senior rebel warned a defeat for the government is 'in the balance again'.
Personal Independence Payments, or PIPs, are the main benefit available to people with disabilities.
The payments are intended to help people with everyday tasks and mobility. These benefits, which are worth between £1,500 and £9,600 a year, are paid irrespective of whether someone is in work because they are designed to foot the bill for the additional cost that comes with being disabled.
More than 1,000 extra people are claiming them every day. The government says the system is 'broken' and is insistent that there is 'broad consensus' on the need for reform.
MPs will head to the Commons this afternoon for the second reading of the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill.
It will set out plans for a review of the welfare system, back-to-work payments, a freeze to the highest rate of incapacity benefits and most controversially changes to the eligibility for personal independence payments (PIP).
The bill has been met with opposition across the House but most notably from within the Labour party itself, as Sir Keir Starmer faces the largest rebellion of his premiership over the reforms.
Despite the government's concessions in the last few days, it's still looking to be a tricky day for Labour.