UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Keir Starmer faces fresh rebellion as 39 Labour MPs back an amendment rejecting his welfare bill over PIP concerns and delayed disability consultation.
As reported by Sky News, nearly 40 Labour MPs plan to oppose Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s welfare cuts, despite his efforts to ease rebellion with concessions.
A total of 39 Labour MPs have signed an amendment to the revised welfare bill, which now limits benefit cuts to new claimants instead of existing ones.
The current number marks a sharp drop from the 127 Labour MPs who previously backed an amendment that could have blocked the bill and weakened Mr Starmer’s position.
In a bid to ease the backlash, the prime minister softened his welfare proposals to lessen the impact on existing claimants.
Liz Kendall’s views on PIP changes
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall confirmed that existing recipients of Personal Independence Payment will be protected from the new eligibility rules.
She pledged that a PIP consultation, developed jointly with disabled people, will be published next autumn to address concerns raised by party rebels.
According to her, the welfare cuts reversal will cost £2.5 billion by 2030, compared to the £4.8 billion the government initially aimed to save.
Nadia Whittome’s stance on the PIP changes
Labour MP Nadia Whittome, representing Nottingham East, dismissed the concessions to the welfare bill as “not enough.”
She said,
“I think it’s very telling that not a single disabled people’s organisation supports the bill, even since the concessions, there’s a lot that we don’t know about how that will work in practice.”
Ms Whittome stated,
“But what we do know is that anybody scoring less than four points in any category in their PIP assessment will not be eligible for support – that includes people who need help cutting up food, need help dressing, washing below the waist. They will no longer be eligible for PIP in future.”
She added,
“By the government’s calculations, that could push 150,000 people into poverty… It’s likely to be much higher.”
Sarah Owen’s views on the PIP review
Sarah Owen, Labour MP for Luton North and chair of the Women and Equalities Committee, raised concerns about a potential “three-tier” benefits system.
She cited the ongoing PIP review by Minister Stephen Timms as a key factor.
What did Jonathan Reynolds say about the “three-tier” system?
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds dismissed claims of a “three-tier” benefits model, stating, “I don’t accept this.”
He said,
“It’s entirely normal for when we have significant changes to the welfare state, existing entitlements to be grandfathered.”
Mr Reynolds called on fellow MPs to back the bill, claiming the government’s stance had improved after recent concessions.
He added,
“I’d ask them to support the government on that basis, because clearly what we’ve got here is better than the existing system.”
Which key figures are opposing the welfare bill?
- Vicky Foxcroft (Labour MP, former government whip)
- Rachael Maskell (Labour MP for York Central)
- Debbie Abrahams (Labour MP, Chair of the Commons Work and Pensions Committee)
- Sarah Owen (Labour MP, Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee)
- Marie Tidball (Labour MP, disabled MP and disability rights advocate)
- Sadiq Khan (Mayor of London)
- Andy Burnham (Mayor of Greater Manchester)
Key points from Labour’s U-turn on the welfare bill
- PIP changes now apply only to new claimants, not existing ones.
- A review of the PIP system will be led by Minister Stephen Timms.
- The Universal Credit standard rate will rise by £7/week from April 2026.
- Health-related Universal Credit rate frozen for existing claimants; halved for new ones.
£4.1bn savings plan reduced to £2.5bn due to concessions. - No formal consultation was held with disabled people, sparking further criticism.