UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Labour rebellion leader Meg Hillier backs welfare bill after securing concessions, but many MPs remain opposed ahead of Tuesday’s Commons vote.
As reported by The Guardian, Meg Hillier, a key figure among the rebels, confirmed she will support the welfare bill on Tuesday, saying Downing Street has “listened” and fulfilled its pledge to amend the legislation.
The MP who wrote the amendment to stop the welfare bill is now backing it, while dozens of others continue to speak out against it.
What did Meg Hillier say about Number 10’s role in the welfare deal?
Meg Hillier signalled she disagreed with Debbie Abrahams, the work and pensions committee chair, who said on Monday that the government failed to keep its promise on the timing of a disability benefits review, co-produced with disabled people.
She said,
“I’ve not always been happy about how No 10 has engaged with MPs in general, but on this they acted in good faith: listened, made an offer and honoured it,”
confirming she would vote for the bill.
According to her, the main concession secured was that existing claimants would not be affected by the proposed changes to universal credit and personal independence payments.
She stated,
“The key issue is that over 300,000 disabled people have ongoing support and are less worried about their future. That’s good for them and the right thing to do.”
Ms Hillier decided to withdraw her amendment, which had been signed by 126 Labour MPs, after the government stepped back from its original proposal.
How is Rachel Maskell challenging the government’s welfare plans?
Labour MP Rachael Maskell has put forward a new amendment rejecting the bill, with backing from 138 disability organisations.
She said more MPs intend to vote against the bill than the number who have signed the amendment.
Ms Maskell added,
“I engaged with so many people yesterday who were saying: ‘I’m not signing the recent amendment, but I am voting down the bill.”
Only 39 Labour MPs have signed the amendment, with dozens more expected to abstain. However, around 50 MPs are still likely to oppose the bill, short of the 83 votes needed to defeat the government’s plan.
What did Jonathan Reynolds say about acting before the review?
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said on Tuesday that moving ahead with welfare reforms was the right decision, rather than delaying for a full review.
He stated,
“I think making sure that you are doing changes that are future-facing, not changing people’s existing entitlement, is quite a sound set of principles.”
Mr Reynolds added,
“There’s an urgency for reform. If people think governments will dodge difficult issues, spend a lot of money even on outcomes they don’t think are very good and the public don’t support, and if that chance to reform the system is seen to have been lost entirely, that undermines public support.”
How will the new assessment criteria affect PIP applicants?
The government said the changes would apply only to new claimants and promised a review to be led by Minister Stephen Timms, in collaboration with disability groups.
The review’s terms of reference confirm that stricter rules will still apply to new PIP applicants. Individuals must score at least four points in a single assessment category to qualify. The review will also reassess how different conditions and abilities are evaluated.
What concerns remain over the PIP reform timeline?
MPs are concerned about the timing of the review, which is due to report in autumn 2026, coinciding with the rollout of new PIP rules. Officials have warned that this overlap could lead to a “three-tier” system for claimants assessed before and after the changes.
Several MPs who had signed the amendment to halt the bill said on 30 June they’re still worried.
Those MPs were:
- Vicky Foxcroft
- Sarah Owen
- Marie Tidball
- Yuan Yang
- Derek Twigg
- Chi Onwurah