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SIR Keir Starmer is bracing for his toughest rebellion yet after more than 100 Labour MPs vowed to defy him and vote down Labour’s welfare cuts.
An impressive 108 backbench lawmakers, which include former ministers and 13 prominent chairs of Commons select committees, have supported an amendment that could disrupt major plans to significantly reduce disability benefits.
Should the opposition parties choose to collaborate with them on Tuesday, Labour’s major initiative to control the rapidly increasing costs of benefits might suffer an unprecedented and humiliating defeat during its Second Reading.
Cabinet Minister Pat McFadden this morning admitted the rebellion is a “very serious” challenge, conceding there are “some concerns” among MPs.
He told Good Morning Britain: “It’s not just a few colleagues, but it’s a very serious thing to vote against a Government Bill at second reading.
“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.”
In defense of Sir Keir’s proposal, Mr. McFadden cautioned that welfare expenses are rapidly escalating, noting that a population equivalent to the size of Leicester is being added to the number of people receiving benefits every year.
He said: “I don’t think, as the party of labour and work, we can afford to sit back and be complacent about so many people moving onto long-term sickness and disability benefits.”
The rebellion is being spearheaded by Dame Meg Hillier, Chair of the Commons Treasury Committee, who is leading the amendment to the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payments Bill.
While acknowledging the “need for reform” to the disability benefits system, the amendment slams government figures showing the proposed changes could plunge 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, into poverty.
Dame Meg warned: “We recognise that the financial situation is difficult.
“As the chancellor says governing is about choices.
“We don’t disagree that there is a need to reform welfare but it’s hard to deliver the proposed improvements in the proposed timescale. And disabled people must be protected.”
Key measures are reforms to PIP and Universal Credit
- Merging jobseekers’ allowance and employment support allowance, where people who have worked get more than those who have not
- Scrapping the Work Capability Assessment by 2028, with all health payments made via PIP in the future
- Under-22s to be banned entirely from claiming Universal Credit incapacity benefits
- An above-inflation rise to the standard allowance of Universal Credit, but the highest incapacity payment cut
- A much higher bar for people to claim Personal Independence Payments to save £5billion a year
- A “right to try” scheme that allows jobless Brits to have a go at working without losing their benefits if they cannot manage
The rebellion comes despite frantic efforts by Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall to rally MPs behind the cuts.
Addressing the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) last night, Ms Kendall told backbenchers: “The path to fairer society – one where everyone thrives, where people who can work get the support they need, and where we protect those who cannot – that is the path we seek to build with our reforms.
“Our plans are rooted in fairness, for those who need support and for taxpayers.
“They are about ensuring the welfare state survives, so there is always a safety net for those who need it.”
But her words fell flat, as MPs lined up to justify their rebellion against the PM.
What are Work Capability Assessments?
The DWP uses the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) to evaluate a claimant’s ability to work when applying for Universal Credit due to a health condition or disability.
The WCA focuses on assessing functional limitations rather than specific medical diagnoses.
It considers both physical and mental health, awarding points based on how an individual’s condition impacts their ability to carry out daily activities.
After the assessment, claimants may be placed into one of two groups – Limited Capability for Work (LCW) or Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA).
Claimants assigned to the LCW group are recognised as currently unfit for work but may be capable of returning to employment in the future with the right support and assistance.
Those in this group are required to engage in work-related activities, such as attending Jobcentre appointments or training courses.
Failure to comply with these requirements may result in sanctions, including a reduction or suspension of benefits.
Claimants are placed in the LCWRA group if their health condition or disability is considered so severe that they are not expected to be able to work or participate in any work-related activities in the foreseeable future.
Those in the LCWRA group receive an additional amount on top of their standard Universal Credit allowance currently worth £416.19 a month.
Ex-Transport Secretary Louise Haigh blasted the proposals, saying: “Disabled people have not been consulted and we have not given enough time for the government’s reforms on employment support to work.
“In the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, we cannot risk a rushed Bill taking money off disabled people.”
Anneliese Midgley added: “I’ve signed this amendment because I believe the government need to think again.
“The proposals are rushed.
“They will financially penalise disabled people and risk pushing some people away from work.”
What is PIP and who is eligible?
HOUSEHOLDS suffering from a long-term illness, disability or mental health condition can get extra help through personal independence payments (PIP).
The maximum you can receive from the Government benefit is £184.30 a week.
PIP is for those over 16 and under the state pension age, currently 66.
Crucially, you must also have a health condition or disability where you either have had difficulties with daily living or getting around – or both – for three months, and you expect these difficulties to continue for at least nine months (unless you’re terminally ill with less than 12 months to live).
You can also claim PIP if you’re in or out of work and if you’re already getting limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA) payments if you claim Universal Credit.
PIP is made up of two parts and whether you get one or both of these depends on how severely your condition affects you.
You may get the mobility part of PIP if you need help going out or moving around. The weekly rate for this is either £28.70 or £75.75.
On the daily living part of PIP, the weekly rate is either £72.65 or £105.55 – and you could get both elements, so up to £184.30 in total.
You can claim PIP at the same time as other benefits, except the armed forces independence payment.
Under the proposed legislation, over 150,000 benefit recipients will see their payments slashed due to changes in how PIP is assessed, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed.
Starting late next year, new and existing claimants reassessed for PIP will need to score a minimum of four points in at least one activity to qualify for the Daily Living Component.
The changes mean those unable to cook will qualify, but those who can use a microwave won’t.
Similarly, needing help to wash your lower body won’t meet the criteria, but assistance with washing your upper body will.
While requiring help to use the toilet meets the threshold, needing reminders to go won’t.
Currently, the higher rate of the Daily Living Component is worth £110.40 a week.
By 2029/30, government estimates predict around 800,000 people will lose access to this component.
Furthermore, 150,000 will miss out on Carer’s Allowance or the Universal Credit Carer’s Element.
