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Labour welfare rebellion: Who are the key MPs opposing Starmer's benefit cuts?
Labour welfare rebellion: Who are the key MPs opposing Starmer's benefit cuts?

The Independent

time2 days ago

  • Business
  • The Independent

Labour welfare rebellion: Who are the key MPs opposing Starmer's benefit cuts?

Sir Keir Starmer is braced for the biggest revolt of his leadership over benefit cuts the government's own analysis says will push 150,000 people into poverty. In a sign of the challenge facing the prime minister, those set to rebel over the welfare reforms come from across the party and include select committee chairmen, MPs from the new intake and even a recent frontbencher. The Independent looks at who the key rebels are and what they have said about the reforms. Vicky Foxcroft The Commons terrace went silent last month when Vicky Foxcroft quit as a government whip in order to vote against Sir Keir's plans. The Labour MP said she said she could not vote for reforms that 'include cuts to disabled people's finances'. Her resignation piled fresh pressure on the PM to negotiate with rebels, and she has since said concessions from Sir Keir are not enough. Ms Foxcroft has not confirmed she will vote against the plans, but said there are still 'areas where I still think there's need for movement'. Dame Meg Hillier Dame Meg Hillier has been a leading figure in the rebel camp, having put forward the initial amendment to the welfare bill which forced the government's climbdown. She is now planning to back the legislation, having said the government came to a 'good and workable compromise'. But her initial organising is a large part of the reason Sir Keir now has a £2.5bn hole in his flagship welfare bill and has served to dent the PM's authority over his party. The new amendment, put forward by Rachael Maskell, is also very similar to Dame Meg's original wrecking amendment. Rachael Maskell Rachael Maskell has been an outspoken critic of the government over several issues, including the winter fuel cuts which also saw Sir Keir U-turn. Alone, the government would not be too troubled by Ms Maskell opposing one of its bills. But Ms Maskell insists she has the backing of MPs outside the Labour left. Her new amendment has the backing of 39 Labour backbenchers, but on Tuesday morning she warned that 'so many more' of her colleagues are prepared to vote against the government. Debbie Abrahams Debbie Abrahams is another influential Labour MP, serving as chairman of the Commons welfare committee. She has accused the government of reneging on commitments it made to rebels in negotiations over the U-turn. She came out on Monday to say the government's concessions do not go far enough implored the government to think again - indicating she will either abstain or rebel on the plans. Sarah Owen Another select committee chairman, Sarah Owen, has also warned against the impact of the PM's welfare cuts. She said changes to disability benefits 'should not take place without listening to disabled voices' as she reprimanded work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall in the Commons. She is expected to either abstain on or vote against the bill on Tuesday. Louise Haigh Louise Haigh is a leading figure in the soft left wing of the Labour Party, and when she signed an amendment against the government's initial welfare plans it set alarm bells ringing in Downing Street. The former transport secretary is popular among MPs and her opposition to the prime minister provided cover for others to join the rebellion. But, in a boost for the PM ahead of the vote, Ms Haigh has indicated she will back the bill after Sir Keir's concessions. But, in a warning against the PM's approach to government so far, she called for a reset of Downing Street's engagement with the public and for a 'different approach to our economic policy and our political strategy'. Marie Tidball Raising the alarm about the impact of the measures on disabled people, and the lack of consultation of disabled people and groups, Dr Marie Tidball, herself a disabled MP, furiously attacked the government on Monday. She said: "This is not just about the process ... the principle of fairness means disabled people have a legitimate expectation to be consulted, and in order to fulfil the Equality Act section 149 public sector equality duty. "Why did the Department for Work and Pensions choose not to consult with disabled people on PIP proposals, and what work will her department do to win back the trust of disabled people?' Sadiq Khan While Labour MPs were gearing up to vote against Sir Keir in the Commons, the mayor of London used an interview with LBC to publicly encourage the rebellion. He said 'I hope MPs vote against the whole bill when it comes before Parliament". The public backing for rebel MPs from Sir Sadiq, another influential figure on Labour's soft left, will give cover to any wavering backbenchers opposed to the cuts. Sir Sadiq added that 'the reforms needed radical transformation to be fit for purpose', calling the government's preparation of the plans further into question. Andy Burnham Another Labour figure who will not be able to vote, but carries huge sway in the party nonetheless, is the Greater Manchester mayor. Not shy to butt heads with Sir Keir, Mr Burnham has called on Labour MPs to vote against the prime minister's welfare reforms. He criticised the 'half U-turn' performed by Sir Keir and warned of disabled constituents showing up at MP surgeries to ask 'why did you vote to make me £6,000 worse off than someone exactly the same?' The Manchester mayor added: 'I hope they think carefully before the vote, because the vote will create that unfairness and divide in disabled people.'

Starmer's benefits U-turns will cost £4.5bn, warns influential think-tank
Starmer's benefits U-turns will cost £4.5bn, warns influential think-tank

The Independent

time6 days ago

  • Business
  • The Independent

Starmer's benefits U-turns will cost £4.5bn, warns influential think-tank

Sir Keir Starmer 's U-turns on benefit cuts and winter fuel payments have blown a £4.5bn hole in the public finances that will need to be filled with tax hikes or deep spending cuts elsewhere, a top economic think tank has warned. The prime minister 's climbdown over his welfare bill is even bigger, and far more expensive, than expected, Resolution Foundation analysis found. And, combined with last month's U-turn on winter fuel payments, Sir Keir will now need to find almost £5bn ahead of his chancellor Rachel Reeves ' autumn Budget. The Resolution Foundation said the change to Sir Keir's welfare bill, which will protect all those currently receiving personal independence payments (Pip), the main disability payment, will prevent 370,000 from losing the support. That will cost £2.1bn per year by 2030, while protecting the income of all those receiving the health element of universal credit, affecting 2.2 million people, will cost up to a further £1.1bn each year. It wipes out up to £3.2bn of the £5bn the government had hoped to save through the changes. The Institute for Fiscal Studies had warned the U-turn would cost around £1.5bn, which wold have to be funded by tax hikes or spending cuts elsewhere. And, on top of the £1.3bn decision to reinstate winter fuel payments for 7 million pensioners, Sir Keir's month of U-turns has left him grappling with the £4.5bn black hole in the public finances. Care minister Stephen Kinnock was asked how the government will pay for the changes, but refused to 'speculate'. He said the chancellor would confirm how the U-turns will be funded when she delivers her Budget in the autumn. It comes after Sir Keir made major concessions to Labour MPs plotting to thwart his controversial welfare bill. In a late night climbdown, the PM offered to protect Pip for all existing claimants and promised a review of the Pip assessment to be led by disabilities minister Sir Stephen Timms and "co-produced" with disabled people. A Number 10 spokesperson said: "We have listened to MPs who support the principle of reform but are worried about the pace of change for those already supported by the system. "This package will preserve the social security system for those who need it by putting it on a sustainable footing, provide dignity for those unable to work, support those who can and reduce anxiety for those currently in the system." Dame Meg Hillier, one of the leading rebel voices, described the concessions as "a good deal" involving "massive changes" to protect vulnerable people and involve disabled people in the design of future reforms. She said: "It's encouraging that we have reached what I believe is a workable compromise that will protect disabled people and support people back into work while ensuring the welfare system can be meaningfully reformed." Some Labour rebels are sticking to their guns and will still vote against the bill on Tuesday, but it is likely now to have enough support to pass the Commons. He had been facing a humiliating defeat, with more than 120 Labour MPs having signed a rebel amendment seeking to kill the bill. As well as blowing a major hole in the government's spending plans, campaigners warned the chaotic U-turn sets up a two-tier system for Pip claimants, where those on the new system face different criteria to those already receiving payments. Ruth Curtice, chief executive of the Resolution Foundation think tank, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'It's certainly the case you will have two recipients with the same scores on Pip assessments, one will be eligible and one won't be under this system for a period of years. "On the other hand, it is not unusual to introduce changes to the disability benefits system this way, where there are some more protections for existing recipients and that is not just a political question, I think it is also the case that losing substantial amounts of money can have a bigger impact on families."

Starmer offers major concessions on benefit cuts after crisis talks with Labour rebels
Starmer offers major concessions on benefit cuts after crisis talks with Labour rebels

The Independent

time6 days ago

  • Business
  • The Independent

Starmer offers major concessions on benefit cuts after crisis talks with Labour rebels

Sir Keir Starmer has caved to a Labour rebellion and offered major concessions to his backbenchers on his planned benefit cuts. In a screeching £1.5bn U-turn, people currently receiving personal independence payment (Pip) will be protected in a move the prime minister hopes will spare him a humiliating defeat on Tuesday. Adjustments to universal credit will also see existing claimants' incomes protected, work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall confirmed in a letter overnight. The U-turn followed crisis talks with backbenchers, with some 126 Labour MPs within the party having signed an amendment that would hve killed the flagship welfare bill. It cuts £1.5bn from the £5bn the government had hoped to save through the changes, and blows a hole in Labour's spending plans that economists warn will need to be filled with either tax hikes or spending cuts elsewhere. Speaking after the U-turn was announced, care minister Stephen Kinnock refused to say how the £1.5bn shortfall would be made up, pointing to the chancellor's Budget this autumn. He said he was 'really pleased with the way that the dialogue happened' and that the changes were a 'step in the right direction'. And he went as far as accusing critics of the original welfare proposals of spreading 'misinformation', claiming that Labour had always planned to 'protect the most vulnerable in society'. Sir Keir's Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill has its second reading on Tuesday, the first opportunity for MPs to support or reject it. The major concessions announced overnight should be enough to win back the support of tens of rebels and get the measures over the line. A Downing Street spokesman said: 'We have listened to MPs who support the principle of reform but are worried about the pace of change for those already supported by the system. 'This package will preserve the social security system for those who need it by putting it on a sustainable footing, provide dignity for those unable to work, supports those who can and reduce anxiety for those currently in the system. 'Our reforms are underpinned by Labour values and our determination to deliver the change the country voted for last year.' The government's original package restricted eligibility for the personal independence payment (Pip), the main disability payment in England, and limited the sickness-related element of universal credit. Existing claimants were to be given a 13-week phase-out period of financial support in an earlier move that was seen as a bid to head off opposition by aiming to soften the impact of the changes. In her letter, the work and pensions secretary said: 'We recognise the proposed changes have been a source of uncertainty and anxiety. 'We will ensure that all of those currently receiving PIP will stay within the current system. The new eligibility requirements will be implemented from November 2026 for new claims only. 'Secondly, we will adjust the pathway of Universal Credit payment rates to make sure all existing recipients of the UC health element – and any new claimant meeting the severe conditions criteria – have their incomes fully protected in real terms.' She said a ministerial review would ensure the benefit is 'fair and fit for the future' and will be a 'coproduction' with disabled people, organisations which represent them and MPs. 'These important reforms are rooted in Labour values, and we want to get them right,' she said. The change in Pip payments would protect some 370,000 existing claimants who were expected to lose out following reassessment. If the legislation clears its first hurdle on Tuesday, 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. The so-called 'reasoned amendment' tabled by Treasury select committee chairwoman Dame Meg Hillier had argued that disabled people have not been properly consulted and further scrutiny of the changes is needed. She said: 'This is a good deal. It is massive changes to ensure the most vulnerable people are protected… and, crucially, involving disabled people themselves in the design of future benefit changes.' While the concessions look set to reassure some of those who had been leading the rebellion, other MPs remained opposed before the announcement. Speaking before the U-turn, Rachel Maskell said: 'As the government is seeking to reform the system, they should protect all disabled people until they have completed their co-produced consultation and co-produced implementation. 'I cannot vote for something that will have such a significant impact … as disabled people are not involved, it is just a backroom deal.' One MP said that ministers would need to 'go back to the drawing board' to make the Bill acceptable. Another said they expected the legislation would get through second reading if the government conceded the key sticking points relating to existing Pip claimants, the health element of universal credit and a policy consultation. 'It would need to be in the Bill, not just a commitment,' they said. Speaking in the Commons on Wednesday, Sir Keir told MPs he wanted the reforms to reflect 'Labour values of fairness' and that discussions about the changes would continue over the coming days. He insisted 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.' There was a mixed reaction among charities to the prospect of concessions. Learning disability charity Mencap said the news would be a 'huge relief to thousands of people living in fear of what the future holds'. 'It is the right thing to do and sends a clear message – cutting disability benefits is not a fair way to mend the black hole in the public purse,' director of strategy Jackie O'Sullivan said. But the MS Society urged rebels to hold firm and block the Bill, insisting any government offer to water down the reforms would amount to 'kicking the can down the road and delaying an inevitable disaster'. Head of campaigns at the charity, Charlotte Gill, said: 'We urge MPs not to be swayed by these last-ditch attempts to force through a harmful Bill with supposed concessions. 'The only way to avoid a catastrophe today and in the future is to stop the cuts altogether by halting the Bill in its tracks.' The Tories described concessions as 'the latest in a growing list of screeching U-turns' from the government. Shadow chancellor Mel Stride said: 'Under pressure from his own MPs, Starmer has made another completely unfunded spending commitment. 'Labour's welfare chaos will cost hardworking taxpayers. 'We can't afford Labour.'

Sir Keir Starmer set for bruising benefits climbdown triggering fears of tax hikes to fill black hole
Sir Keir Starmer set for bruising benefits climbdown triggering fears of tax hikes to fill black hole

The Sun

time6 days ago

  • Business
  • The Sun

Sir Keir Starmer set for bruising benefits climbdown triggering fears of tax hikes to fill black hole

SIR Keir Starmer was last night on the verge of a bruising benefit cuts climbdown — triggering fears of tax hikes to fill the black hole. The PM was yesterday locked in talks with rebel MPs about possible concessions to his £5billion package of savings. 2 More than 120 backbenchers threw his government into chaos by vowing to oppose him in Tuesday's crunch vote. The move also sparked wider concerns about the No 10 operation. Disgruntled MPs were zeroing in on Sir Keir's closest aide and election guru Morgan McSweeney, though the PM is said to retain full confidence in him. Economists warned that softening the already modest cuts would wipe out Chancellor Rachel Reeves' £9.9billion financial headroom. No 10 would last night not rule out more tax rises, with Ms Reeves committing only to avoid hikes in income tax, National Insurance or VAT. Tory Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride said: 'Labour's welfare chaos will cost hardworking taxpayers. "If Keir Starmer fails to get welfare spending under control, families up and down the country will be slapped with even higher taxes to pay for it. We can't afford Labour.' After previously dismissing the mutineers as 'noises off', the PM struck a more conciliatory tone yesterday as the revolt grew. He told the Commons: 'We want to see reform implemented with Labour values of fairness. "That conversation will continue in the coming days.'

BREAKING NEWS Starmer caves in to rebels on benefits: Sir Keir is forced into a humiliating climb-down by Labour welfare army
BREAKING NEWS Starmer caves in to rebels on benefits: Sir Keir is forced into a humiliating climb-down by Labour welfare army

Daily Mail​

time6 days ago

  • Business
  • Daily Mail​

BREAKING NEWS Starmer caves in to rebels on benefits: Sir Keir is forced into a humiliating climb-down by Labour welfare army

Keir Starmer was tonight forced into a humiliating climbdown by Labour's army of welfare rebels. The Prime Minister is said to have handed them 'massive concessions' in a bid to avoid defeat in a crunch vote on benefit cuts next week. Experts warned it meant fresh tax raids this autumn were almost inevitable because the reforms, projected to save £5billion, will now save much less. The concessions are understood to include watering down reforms to personal independence payments (PIP), which would have hit vulnerable people unable to wash or dress themselves. Privately, ministers were cautiously optimistic last night that the climbdown will enable them to peel off enough of the 126 rebels to press ahead with a Commons vote on Tuesday. And one rebel told The Guardian: 'They've offered massive concessions, which should be enough to get the Bill over the line at second reading (Tuesday's vote).' It came following a frantic day of talks after the PM set a deadline of Sunday night for striking a compromise. Sir Keir is understood to have phoned several of the rebels. Insiders acknowledged that the PM would have little choice but to pull the vote – leaving his authority in tatters – if there was no deal by Sunday evening. The climbdown is still highly embarrassing for Sir Keir as it highlights how drastically he failed to read the mood among his MPs. It is also the latest in a series of backsliding on policies after he U-turned on cuts to the winter fuel allowance. Several moderate opponents said they were open to passing the benefit cuts legislation if key elements such as the PIP proposals were watered down, suggesting Sir Keir stands a good chance of winning over enough rebels in the coming days. But several other more hardline MPs warned that nothing less than ditching the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill would placate them. The Government has a majority of 165 in the Commons, meaning 83 Labour MPs need to oppose the Bill to inflict defeat. After days of mounting opposition to the benefit cuts, Sir Keir finally acknowledged today that the reforms would not get through without a compromise. Speaking in the Commons, he said he would start a 'conversation' with rebels because 'colleagues want to get this right, and so do I'. Speaking to ITV, Chancellor Rachel Reeves added: 'We've got to get this right. So of course we've got to take people with us on this journey. 'And over the next few days, we'll continue listening ahead of the vote on Tuesday. Everyone can see the system we've got today isn't sustainable. Asked about the prospect of tax hikes, she added: 'It is right to say that we're not going to increase the taxes that working people pay – their income tax, National Insurance or VAT. As a government, we do need to get control of the public finances, but we need to in a fair way.' As the reforms stand, most of the 800,000 affected PIP claimants will lose £3,850 a year as the proposals stand. Projections by the Institute for Fiscal Studies show ditching this proposal could cost up to £2.3billion, further adding to the black hole in the public finances. Other elements in the proposed new law include halving the health top-up in Universal Credit for new claimants from 2026 and phasing out the work capability assessment. Watering down the Universal Credit plank would cost up to another £2.5 billion. With the Government already pledging to reverse winter fuel allowance cuts, poised to lift the two-child benefit cap and spend billions more on defence, it means tax rises or spending cuts elsewhere would almost certainly be needed. Eduin Latimer, a senior economist at the IFS, said: 'Scaling these measures back somewhat would boost support for claimants with health conditions but naturally would require the Government to raise taxes or find other savings elsewhere.' Ben Caswell, of the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, added: 'If the Government is unable to pass this Bill, the cost would be large enough to erase the narrow £9.9billion headroom against the Chancellor's stability rule. This means she will face the difficult choice of either cutting current expenditure or raising taxes.' Tory Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride said: 'This is the latest in a growing list of screeching U-turns from this weak Labour government.' Asked which benefits she would cut to bring the welfare bill down, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: 'We have people who... are now claiming disability claims for things like anxiety. 'That is not what welfare was designed for. The system is being gamed. 'There are people claiming it for conditions that probably shouldn't be getting welfare, and also people who don't have conditions at all, who have worked out that you can exploit the system.'

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