Scottish government minister says UK welfare reforms should be abandoned
Ahead of the crunch vote, Sir Keir Starmer ditched a mainstay of his welfare reform agenda as he battled to get the draft laws through the House of Commons.
In a major concession as MPs prepared to vote, the Prime Minister shelved plans to restrict eligibility for the personal independence payment (Pip), with any changes now only coming after a review of the benefit.
Under Scotland's devolved social security system, Pip is currently being replaced by the Adult Disability Payment.
Reacting to events at Westminster, Ms Somerville reiterated the Scottish Government's pledge not to cut that benefit.
'Despite the panicked, last-minute concessions they have made, if the UK Government presses ahead with cuts to disability support they will plunge more people into poverty,' said the SNP MSP.
'That is unconscionable.
'Their approach also risks creating a deeply unfair two-tier system, pushing the impact of cuts onto future applicants for disability benefits.
'The UK Government needs to stop balancing the books on the backs of some of the most vulnerable people in society.
'They need to properly listen to the overwhelming criticism their proposals have generated and do the right thing by disabled people by abandoning this bill entirely.
'I want to reassure disabled people in Scotland, that the Scottish Government will not cut Scotland's Adult Disability Payment, we will not let disabled people down as the UK Government has done.'
The decision to remove the Pip changes from the Bill was announced just 90 minutes before MPs voted.
The legislation passed by 335 votes to 260, majority 75.
Despite the late concession, there were 49 Labour rebels, the largest revolt so far of Sir Keir's premiership.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
36 minutes ago
- Metro
Migrants being 'whipped' onto dinghies amid record 20,000 Channel crossings
Video has emerged of a trafficker whipping migrants onto a boat, after it was confirmed that 20,422 people made the crossing in 2025 so far. The 20,000 figure was exceeded in record time, with some 440 people making the crossing across the English Channel yesterday alone. Figures from the Home Office found this is up 50% on this point last year and 79% higher than at this stage in 2023. It is the earliest point in a calendar year at which the 20,000 mark has been passed since data on Channel crossings was first reported in 2018. The first year in which at least 20,000 arrivals were recorded was 2022, when the milestone was passed on August 14, and the total went on to hit a record 45,774 by the end of December. The figures come as ministers continue to grapple with Channel crossings, with the situation on French shores worsening. What appeared to be a measure of harsh crowd control, to prevent the 30-foot rubber boat from capsizing, a people smuggler's assistant in the water repeatedly whipped migrants with a cane if they tried to climb on too fast. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video He was seen furiously beating the terrified migrants who were scrambling to avoid the lashings, but could not afford to be left behind. The Government's Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill is continuing through Parliament, and will hand counterterror-style powers to police and introduce new criminal offences to crack down on people-smuggling gangs. It has been reported that the UK and France are agreeing on a one in, one out migrant returns deal, under which migrants who arrive in the UK by small boats are returned to France, in exchange for the UK accepting those with legitimate claims to join family already in the country. French officials have also agreed to changes that would allow police patrolling the coast to take action in the sea when migrants climb into boats from the water, which is yet to come into effect. Days ago, it was revealed that migrants could soon be deported to France from the UK in a 'one in one out' deal. More Trending The deal could see migrants who arrive in the UK by crossing the English Channel in small boats returned to France, but the UK would accept those with legitimate claims to join family already in the country. The government previously vowed to crack down on people smuggling gangs across the Channel, while crossings are at a record high for this point in the year, totalling 18,518. French officials have also agreed to changes that would allow police patrolling the coast to take action in the sea when migrants climb into boats from the water. Under the new returns deal, a joint processing system between the UK and France would be set up to identify migrants who have a valid claim for family reunification in the UK. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Rail ticket gives unlimited travel in 24 countries from £34 — but you need to be quick MORE: Lorries face reversing for miles after landslides block their path MORE: Europe hit by deadly heatwave with temperatures over 40C in holiday hotspots
The National
36 minutes ago
- The National
Gilt yields spike following Rachel Reeves's tears during PMQs
Her sister Ellie Reeves, also an MP, was seen holding her hand as she left the chamber on Wednesday. Following PMQs ten-year gilt yields, which move inversely to the price of UK Government bonds and affect the cost of borrowing for the government, rose above 4.6%. (Image: UK Parliament) Reeves is facing intense scrutiny over her handling of public finances after the welfare bill was watered down, with rebel Labour backbenchers reportedly claiming the Chancellor intervened on reforms and looked for quick savings ahead of the Spring Statement. Labour's welfare U-turn last night will cost the UK Government £3 billion extra, according to the Resolution Foundation, while the restoration of winter fuel payments will add a further £1.3bn to government bills. Following the Spring Statement, economists warned that Reeves had left herself too little headroom, leaving public finances on shaky ground. The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) also warned that extra spending commitments would lead to tax rises. Meanwhile, City analysts have previously estimated that the government could be forced to raise in excess of £20bn in order to restore her fiscal buffer. Other economists have suggested that the Chancellor could revise fiscal rules to allow for more spending, but higher borrowing commitments could rattle bond markets, with current debt interest payments set to total £104bn, more than double the levels seen in the 2010s.
Reuters
38 minutes ago
- Reuters
Germany, UK to sign mutual assistance defence pact, reports Politico
BERLIN, July 2 (Reuters) - Germany and Britain will on July 17 sign a defence treaty that includes a mutual assistance clause in the event of a threat to either country, the Politico news outlet reported on Wednesday. The report came almost a year after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and then-German Chancellor Olaf Scholz issued a joint declaration promising closer cooperation on issues from trade to security. That broad agreement is now being finalised, according to Politico, and a key area is defence. It will include a section stating that any strategic threat to one country would represent a threat to the other and the accord is expected to be signed on July 17, it reported, citing two London-based officials. Although both countries are committed to NATO, the defence agreement highlights a shift among European states, including Germany under Chancellor Friedrich Merz, to work more closely together and rely less on the U.S. under President Donald Trump. A spokesperson for the German defence ministry said on Wednesday that he had no new developments to impart when asked about the Politico report at a government press conference in Berlin. Germany and Britain launched negotiations in August 2024 on a bilateral treaty covering a broad range of areas, from defence and security cooperation, to labour and economic growth. "We are in the final stages of finalising the treaty," a spokesperson for the foreign ministry said at the same press conference, adding that the German cabinet would sign off on it before the end of July. Britain's government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
