Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer faces his biggest parliamentary rebellion yet as 39 Labour MPs prepare to vote against the Government's welfare reforms on Tuesday evening. The revolt threatens to derail key benefit changes as Starmer approaches the first anniversary of taking office.
The rebellion centres on the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill, which aims to overhaul the benefits system. More Labour MPs are expected to join the revolt, making it potentially the largest challenge to Starmer's authority since taking power.
Cabinet defends Government record
Ahead of the parliamentary showdown, Starmer told his Cabinet that the Government could look back with a "real sense of pride and achievement" as the July 5 anniversary of his first year in office nears. Ministers have given working people a "chance to thrive, not just survive", the Prime Minister insisted.
Downing Street highlighted trade deals, economic growth, extra long-term investment and cuts to NHS waiting lists among the Government's achievements. Cabinet ministers and even Starmer himself have been lobbying Labour MPs not to join the rebellion.
Partial U-turn fails to satisfy rebels
The Government has already softened its proposals to protect 370,000 existing personal independence payment (PIP) claimants who would have lost benefits under reassessment. Ministers also committed to a review led by disabilities minister Sir Stephen Timms and unfroze higher universal credit rates for existing health-related claimants.
The changes mean the reforms will save less than half the £5 billion originally expected. However, the concessions have failed to satisfy rebel MPs led by Treasury Committee chairwoman Dame Meg Hillier, who originally gathered support from 126 Labour MPs.
Minister defends welfare changes
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall told the Commons that reforms are essential for the welfare system's survival. "I do not believe that this is sustainable if we want a welfare state that protects people who most need our help for generations to come," she said.
Kendall warned there was "no responsibility in leaving our system of social security to continue as it is". She argued the current system risks becoming so unsupported that it would no longer provide a safety net for those unable to work.
Government modelling predicts poverty increase
Downing Street insisted that Government modelling, which predicts the welfare proposals will push 150,000 more people into poverty by 2030, was "subject to uncertainty". The admission came as ministers faced mounting pressure over the reforms' impact on vulnerable claimants.
Kendall faced warnings in the Commons that the Timms review could be published after the reforms themselves are implemented. She insisted any changes following the review would be made "as soon as is practically possible via primary or secondary legislation".
Opposition attacks Government plans
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch described the Government's plans as "driven not by principle but by panic". She warned that by 2030, health and disability benefits alone would cost £100 billion under current spending plans - more than the defence budget.
Badenoch called the Bill a "fudge" and said the Conservatives would not support it. "A fundamental and serious programme to reform our welfare system is required, and this Bill is not it," she told MPs.
Rebel leader urges MPs to vote against
Rachael Maskell, the leading force of the rebellion as York Central MP, urged colleagues to join her in the voting lobbies. "These Dickensian cuts belong to a different era and a different party," she told the Commons.
Maskell said the reforms contradicted Labour values of protecting the poor. "These are my constituents, my neighbours, my community, my responsibility, and I cannot cross by on the other side," she declared. The Liberal Democrats are also expected to support the rebel amendment.
Ministers remain coy about potential disciplinary action against rebel Labour MPs. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said he was "not aware" rebels would lose the party whip, but noted "those issues are for the chief whip".
(PA/London) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
