Latest news with #DebbieAbrahams
BBC News
7 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Prime minister's benefit cuts U-turn leaves backbenchers feeling bruised
"What an absolute bloody shambles!"When we tell you that this is the unvarnished view of a Labour MP now willing to back the Prime Minister Keir Starmer's benefits plans, you get a sense of how much anger this row has provoked and is still there are still plenty who are not happy and still either pushing for further changes or planning to vote against the measures."It is not the resolution lots of people want. They are tinkering with a broken bill," another MP tells us. After backbench Labour MPs revolted against the government's proposed welfare reforms, the prime minister made concessions, saying the stricter criteria would only apply to new claimants."Clearly some at least will have been pacified by the concessions but there are still very significant numbers" of opponents, a third MP texts, adding "it shouldn't be underestimated the potential effect of a weekend of emails from constituents, constituency surgeries etc."Debbie Abrahams, the Labour MP who chairs the Work and Pensions Select Committee, told the BBC: "The concessions are a good start, they are very good concessions and they will protect existing claimants. However there are still concerns about new claimants. It would not be right for me not to do anything just to spare the prime minister an inconvenience." In other words, she does not appear won over note that Disability Labour, which describes itself as "an independent socialist society affiliated to the UK Labour Party" is still urging all MPs to oppose the see how opinion and mood within the Parliamentary Labour Party settles by is very clear is many Labour backbenchers feel very Street "see us as an inconvenience, people to manage, not to listen to. When we are invited into No 10, and it doesn't happen often, it is to be told what to think," is how one MP puts is not hard to find pretty blunt assessments of the prime minister and his Chief of Staff Morgan MPs say the whips – those in charge of party discipline – had raised the concerns of many with Downing Street."They either didn't think about it or didn't think new MPs would have the balls to stand up to them," reflected one."Perhaps this is the moment they finally get it," reflects another, "and they get better at talking to us, and listening." Keir Starmer u-turns on benefits changes after Labour backlashWe've got the right balance says Keir Starmer, after benefits U-turnWhy Keir Starmer faces a political storm over welfare reforms Others fear that the six month cycle of Chancellor Rachel Reeves seeking to meet her self-imposed fiscal rules will, as they see it, mean the pattern of hunting for cuts will keep think the only solution, in time, will be a new chancellor. Senior voices in government counter that Starmer and Reeves personify the modern Labour Party in government. Those voices say being seen as responsible with the country's finances is paramount and Reeves' rules help achieve around the prime minister will be glad the week is over and hopeful they picked the least worst option to deal with the outbreak of insurrection over they may allow themselves a moment's reflection on the best part of a year in government. Next Friday marks the first anniversary of the general election, and so 12 months since Sir Keir Starmer became prime part of that he has given an interview to his biographer, the journalist and former Labour Party Director of Communications Tom Baldwin in The Observer. In it, Sir Keir said he was too gloomy last summer and he regreted saying "the damage" done the country by immigration in recent years "is incalculable". He also said that his remark that immigration risked turning the UK into an "island of strangers" was a mistake and repudiates much else of the political strategy of his first year in spent the week battling to mend relations with many on the left and centre-left of the Labour Party, this interview has managed to find a way to alienate his allies too."Outrageous", "weak", "totally lacking in moral fibre" are just a few of the choice words from Starmer loyalists — yes, is particular anger at the perception that he is throwing his closest aides under a bus.A senior government source said they were too angry to speak about leaves the impression that right now, the prime minister is a politician who cannot do anything it also, yet again, poses a bigger question about what the prime minister stands those remarks about immigration were a mistake, what does he really think?Finding definition in his second year in No 10, as well as avoiding cock-ups, will be key.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Around half of Labour welfare rebels have majorities smaller than the number of benefit claimaints in their constituencies
Around half of Labour MPs who are planning to rebel over welfare cuts have majorities smaller than the number of benefit claimants in their constituencies. Sir Keir Starmer faces the biggest rebellion of his premiership next week after more than 125 Labour MPs publicly declared they will vote against flagship legislation. They have vowed to oppose the second reading of the Government's welfare bill in the House of Commons, as the PM seeks to save £5billion in benefits spending. The Labour MPs are furious at planned changes that would restrict access to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and cut the health element of Universal Credit. It has been estimated that 800,000 people will be denied the 'daily living' component of PIP - the main disability benefit - by 2029/30 due to a tightening of rules. This includes even if they struggle to wash or dress below the waist. An analysis shows, of 114 Labour rebels from constituencies in England and Wales, 63 hold majorities smaller than the number of PIP claimaints in their local areas. For example, Debbie Abrahams - one of the rebel ringleaders - won her Oldham East and Saddleworth seat with a 6,357-vote majority at last July's general election. As of April this year, there were a total of 8,392 PIP claimants in her constituency. Paulette Hamilton, the Birmingham Erdington MP and another leading rebel, has 11,899 PIP recipients in the constituency she won with a 7,019-vote majority. It suggests, despite No10's efforts to get them to back down, Labour rebels might be unwilling to do so due to their fears of infuriating local voters. Voters' at the axing of winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners - which Sir Keir has since partially U-turned on - was blamed for Labour's poor local election results last month. Large numbers of Labour MPs are also worried about Reform UK's surge in popularity since the general election. Polls show many now appear to be at risk of losing their seats to Nigel Farage's party. A huge YouGov survey showed, if a general election were held today, Reform would see a stunning rise from five MPs to 271. At the same time, Labour would drop from the 403 MPs it currently has to just 178. The Tories would plummet to just 46 MPs, making them the fourth-biggest party well behind the Liberal Democrats on 81. Sir Keir is holding talks with Labour rebels over concessions to save the Government's welfare reform package. The PM told the House of Commons on Thursday he wanted the reforms to demonstrate 'Labour values of fairness'. He told MPs there was 'consensus across the House on the urgent need for reform' of the 'broken' welfare system. '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,' he said. '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 Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill has its second reading on Tuesday, the first opportunity for MPs to vote on it. If the legislation clears its first hurdle, it will then face a few hours' examination by all MPs the following week – rather than days or weeks in front of a committee tasked with looking at the bill – with a plan for it to clear the Commons a little over a week later on July 9. Ministers have said they will listen to suggestions to improve the legislation, but opposition appears entrenched and the swift timetable for the bill could add to critics' concerns. Who are the Labour rebels? Meg Hillier Debbie Abrahams Helen Hayes Sarah Owen Florence Eshalomi Paulette Hamilton Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi Cat Smith Ruth Cadbury Patricia Ferguson Ruth Jones Louise Haigh Vicky Foxcroft Olivia Blake Anneliese Midgley Antonia Bance Laurence Turner Anna Dixon Dawn Butler Yuan Yang Richard Baker Kirsteen Sullivan Lee Barron Jonathan Brash Stella Creasy Ben Coleman Clive Betts Matt Bishop Sadik Al-Hassan Abtisam Mohamed Lee Pitcher Lauren Edwards Tony Vaughan Connor Naismith Matt Western Paul Davies Charlotte Nichols Kate Osamor Chris Webb Josh Fenton-Glynn Sarah Hall Scott Arthur Tracy Gilbert Gill Furniss Dr Beccy Cooper Adam Jogee Maya Ellis Alison Hume Daniel Francis Jo Platt Patrick Hurley Kirith Entwistle Henry Tufnell Darren Paffey Yasmin Qureshi Mohammad Yasin Peter Lamb Elaine Stewart Allison Gardner Lillian Jones Marsha De Cordova Kevin McKenna Clive Efford Lizzi Collinge Melanie Onn Andrew Cooper Fabian Hamilton Polly Billington David Williams Richard Quigley Marie Rimmer Sam Rushworth Rosena Allin-Khan Emma Lewell Richard Burgon Kate Osborne Rachael Maskell Amanda Hack Rebecca Long Bailey Bell Ribeiro-Addy Paula Barker Cat Eccles Jon Trickett Simon Opher Ian Lavery Neil Duncan-Jordan Chris Hinchliff Ian Byrne Nadia Whittome Diane Abbott Kim Johnson Andy McDonald Brian Leishman Imran Hussain Euan Stainbank Lorraine Beavers Steve Witherden Mary Kelly Foy Clive Lewis Jen Craft James Naish Terry Jermy Grahame Morris Navendu Mishra Jenny Riddell-Carpenter Tahir Ali Dave Robertson Josh Newbury Paul Foster Andrew Ranger Danny Beales Luke Myer Margaret Mullane Naz Shah Josh Dean Martin Rhodes Afzal Khan Maureen Burke Chris Evans Alex Sobel Irene Campbell Gareth Snell Mary Glindon Sarah Edwards Pam Cox Toby Perkins
South Wales Guardian
4 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
More than 100 MPs threaten to halt welfare reforms in PM's biggest rebellion
Some 108 MPs' signatures appear on a reasoned amendment declining to give the welfare reform Bill a second reading when it returns to the Commons on July 1. The rebellion, the Prime Minister's largest yet, would be enough to defeat the Government's plans if opposition MPs joined the Labour rebels. The amendment, published on Tuesday's order paper, notes there is a 'need for the reform of the social security system'. But it calls for the Commons to decline to continue scrutinising the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill 'because the Government's own impact assessment estimates that 250,000 people will be pushed into poverty as a result of these provisions, including 50,000 children'. There has been no formal consultation with disabled people who will be impacted by the changes, the MPs said. They also point to the fact that an analysis of the impact of the reforms on employment from the Office for Budget Responsibility will not be published until the autumn. Several Labour select committee chairs were among those who put their name to the amendment, including chairwoman of the Treasury committee Dame Meg Hillier, and Debbie Abrahams, chairwoman of the work and pensions select committee. The MPs who signed the amendment 'want the Government to listen and to think again on this Bill', Ms Abrahams said. She added: 'We are being asked to vote for this Bill before disabled people have been consulted, before impact assessments have been conducted and before we have given enough time to some of the Government's key policies – investing in the NHS, to the right to try, and to work coaching – (to) have been able to bed in.' Vicky Foxcroft, the former Government whip who resigned over the welfare plans, has also signed the amendment. Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle would need to select the amendment when MPs debate the legislation at its second reading. Under the proposals in the Bill, ministers will limit eligibility for the personal independence payment (Pip), the main disability payment in England, and limit the sickness-related element of Universal Credit (UC). Ministers have previously said the reforms could save up to £5 billion a year. Amid the growing threat of rebellion, Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden warned on Tuesday morning it would be a 'very serious thing' for Labour MPs to effectively vote down the Bill at its first major outing in the Commons. He added: 'You're right to point out that this phrase reasoned amendment isn't just a small tweak. It would stop the legislative process if it succeeded.' Mr McFadden insisted the growing costs of welfare were unsustainable, as a 'city the size of Leicester' was being added to the population on benefits each year. 'I don't think as the party of labour, the party of work, we can sit back and be relaxed about so many people going on to long-term sickness and disability benefits,' he added. Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel, meanwhile, would not say whether the Conservatives would side with the Labour rebels in the Commons. But she told Sky News the Tories backed the 'fundamental principle of welfare reform, which could lead to structural changes in our country which our economy needs'. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall spent Monday night speaking to backbench MPs about the reforms at a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP). Those leaving the meeting insisted there was broad consensus in the room, with only few MPs standing up to make their opposition known. The Work and Pensions Secretary told the PLP that the plans are 'rooted in fairness'. She argued they are about ensuring the survival of the welfare state so there is always a safety net for those in need of it. Ms Kendall added: 'Above all, they are about our belief that everyone can fulfil their potential and live their hopes and dreams when, collectively, we provide them with real opportunities and support. 'This is the better future we seek to build for our constituents and our country.'
North Wales Chronicle
4 days ago
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
More than 100 MPs threaten to halt welfare reforms in PM's biggest rebellion
Some 108 MPs' signatures appear on a reasoned amendment declining to give the welfare reform Bill a second reading when it returns to the Commons on July 1. The rebellion, the Prime Minister's largest yet, would be enough to defeat the Government's plans if opposition MPs joined the Labour rebels. The amendment, published on Tuesday's order paper, notes there is a 'need for the reform of the social security system'. But it calls for the Commons to decline to continue scrutinising the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill 'because the Government's own impact assessment estimates that 250,000 people will be pushed into poverty as a result of these provisions, including 50,000 children'. There has been no formal consultation with disabled people who will be impacted by the changes, the MPs said. They also point to the fact that an analysis of the impact of the reforms on employment from the Office for Budget Responsibility will not be published until the autumn. Several Labour select committee chairs were among those who put their name to the amendment, including chairwoman of the Treasury committee Dame Meg Hillier, and Debbie Abrahams, chairwoman of the work and pensions select committee. The MPs who signed the amendment 'want the Government to listen and to think again on this Bill', Ms Abrahams said. She added: 'We are being asked to vote for this Bill before disabled people have been consulted, before impact assessments have been conducted and before we have given enough time to some of the Government's key policies – investing in the NHS, to the right to try, and to work coaching – (to) have been able to bed in.' Vicky Foxcroft, the former Government whip who resigned over the welfare plans, has also signed the amendment. Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle would need to select the amendment when MPs debate the legislation at its second reading. Under the proposals in the Bill, ministers will limit eligibility for the personal independence payment (Pip), the main disability payment in England, and limit the sickness-related element of Universal Credit (UC). Ministers have previously said the reforms could save up to £5 billion a year. Amid the growing threat of rebellion, Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden warned on Tuesday morning it would be a 'very serious thing' for Labour MPs to effectively vote down the Bill at its first major outing in the Commons. He added: 'You're right to point out that this phrase reasoned amendment isn't just a small tweak. It would stop the legislative process if it succeeded.' Mr McFadden insisted the growing costs of welfare were unsustainable, as a 'city the size of Leicester' was being added to the population on benefits each year. 'I don't think as the party of labour, the party of work, we can sit back and be relaxed about so many people going on to long-term sickness and disability benefits,' he added. Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel, meanwhile, would not say whether the Conservatives would side with the Labour rebels in the Commons. But she told Sky News the Tories backed the 'fundamental principle of welfare reform, which could lead to structural changes in our country which our economy needs'. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall spent Monday night speaking to backbench MPs about the reforms at a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP). Those leaving the meeting insisted there was broad consensus in the room, with only few MPs standing up to make their opposition known. The Work and Pensions Secretary told the PLP that the plans are 'rooted in fairness'. She argued they are about ensuring the survival of the welfare state so there is always a safety net for those in need of it. Ms Kendall added: 'Above all, they are about our belief that everyone can fulfil their potential and live their hopes and dreams when, collectively, we provide them with real opportunities and support. 'This is the better future we seek to build for our constituents and our country.'
Rhyl Journal
4 days ago
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
More than 100 MPs threaten to halt welfare reforms in PM's biggest rebellion
Some 108 MPs' signatures appear on a reasoned amendment declining to give the welfare reform Bill a second reading when it returns to the Commons on July 1. The rebellion, the Prime Minister's largest yet, would be enough to defeat the Government's plans if opposition MPs joined the Labour rebels. The amendment, published on Tuesday's order paper, notes there is a 'need for the reform of the social security system'. But it calls for the Commons to decline to continue scrutinising the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill 'because the Government's own impact assessment estimates that 250,000 people will be pushed into poverty as a result of these provisions, including 50,000 children'. There has been no formal consultation with disabled people who will be impacted by the changes, the MPs said. They also point to the fact that an analysis of the impact of the reforms on employment from the Office for Budget Responsibility will not be published until the autumn. Several Labour select committee chairs were among those who put their name to the amendment, including chairwoman of the Treasury committee Dame Meg Hillier, and Debbie Abrahams, chairwoman of the work and pensions select committee. The MPs who signed the amendment 'want the Government to listen and to think again on this Bill', Ms Abrahams said. She added: 'We are being asked to vote for this Bill before disabled people have been consulted, before impact assessments have been conducted and before we have given enough time to some of the Government's key policies – investing in the NHS, to the right to try, and to work coaching – (to) have been able to bed in.' Vicky Foxcroft, the former Government whip who resigned over the welfare plans, has also signed the amendment. Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle would need to select the amendment when MPs debate the legislation at its second reading. Under the proposals in the Bill, ministers will limit eligibility for the personal independence payment (Pip), the main disability payment in England, and limit the sickness-related element of Universal Credit (UC). Ministers have previously said the reforms could save up to £5 billion a year. Amid the growing threat of rebellion, Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden warned on Tuesday morning it would be a 'very serious thing' for Labour MPs to effectively vote down the Bill at its first major outing in the Commons. He added: 'You're right to point out that this phrase reasoned amendment isn't just a small tweak. It would stop the legislative process if it succeeded.' Mr McFadden insisted the growing costs of welfare were unsustainable, as a 'city the size of Leicester' was being added to the population on benefits each year. 'I don't think as the party of labour, the party of work, we can sit back and be relaxed about so many people going on to long-term sickness and disability benefits,' he added. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall spent Monday night speaking to backbench MPs about the reforms at a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP). Those leaving the meeting insisted there was broad consensus in the room, with only few MPs standing up to make their opposition known. The Work and Pensions Secretary told the PLP that the plans are 'rooted in fairness'. She argued they are about ensuring the survival of the welfare state so there is always a safety net for those in need of it. Ms Kendall added: 'Above all, they are about our belief that everyone can fulfil their potential and live their hopes and dreams when, collectively, we provide them with real opportunities and support. 'This is the better future we seek to build for our constituents and our country.'
