UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Health Secretary Wes Streeting says welfare reforms now offer “peace of mind” after Labour’s major U-turn eases pressure from rebels opposing benefit cuts.
As reported by Sky News, Wes Streeting now believes the government will win Tuesday’s crunch vote following Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s last-minute welfare concessions.
What did Wes Streeting say about welfare reforms?
During an interview on Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, the health secretary said recent changes to the welfare bill would give benefit claimants “peace of mind.”
In response to whether the welfare reforms would pass Parliament, Mr Streeting expressed confidence and said, “Yes.”
He stated,
“I think the changes that were made this week have put us in a much better position, not just on the vote on Tuesday, but on the substance of the package – because as a result of the changes, it means anyone watching this morning who receives PIP, Personal Independence Payments, now has the peace of mind of knowing that their situation is protected.”
Mr Streeting refused to say whether Labour rebels should lose the party whip for opposing the welfare bill and be forced to sit as independents.
He distanced himself from the decision but emphasised that Labour MPs are expected to vote in line with the party whip.
The health secretary added,
“It’s part of the course of parliamentary debate that we all hold to account by the government. The MPs put forward their proposals, their alternatives. There is an expectation that Labour MPs vote for the whip.”
He said many Labour MPs back welfare changes to better support the vulnerable and keep the system strong long-term.
According to him, Labour MPs and ministers are committed to ensuring welfare reform is handled correctly.
He added,
“Government brings forward proposals and parliament scrutinises, and sometimes, they have to say it firmly: ‘you haven’t got this right. You have to go back to the drawing board. You have to make changes.’”
Keir Starmer’s views on the welfare U-turn
The prime minister, Keir Starmer, admitted the welfare row was poorly handled and blamed his focus on global matters for the delayed reversal.
Writing in The Sunday Times, Sir Keir said his attention had been dominated by the G7 and NATO summits and the rising tensions in the Middle East over the past two weeks.
He said,
“Getting it right is more important than ploughing on with a package which doesn’t necessarily achieve the desired outcome.”
During his speech at the Welsh Labour Conference, Mr Starmer said everyone agrees the welfare system needs reform.
The Labour leader said,
“We cannot take away the safety net that vulnerable people rely on, and we won’t, but we also can’t let it become a snare for those who can and want to work,”
adding,
“Everyone agrees that our welfare system is broken: failing people every day, a generation of young people written off for good and the cost spiralling out of control. Fixing it is a moral imperative, but we need to do it in a Labour way.”
What did 120 Labour MPs do to challenge welfare reforms?
The Labour government carried out its most significant U-turn to date to defuse a growing rebellion against its welfare plan.
Over 120 Labour MPs indicated they would oppose the bill next week by signing an amendment that would halt its progress. They raised concerns about harm to vulnerable people and the failure to consult disabled groups.
Downing Street became concerned as the rebellion grew and spread across the party, putting pressure on Sir Keir to make changes to ease the tension.
Labour’s welfare bill
Bill before concessions
- Stricter eligibility is planned for PIP.
- Claimants needed to meet tougher criteria to qualify.
- New rule: Score 4 points in one activity (instead of 8 across tasks) to get the daily living element.
- All PIP claimants, including current ones, would be affected.
- Universal Credit health top-up would be cut and frozen for both new and existing claimants.
Bill after Keir Starmer changes
- Existing PIP claimants will be exempt from the new stricter rules.
- Universal Credit health top-up cuts will apply only to new applicants.
- Current claimants of both benefits will keep their existing support levels.