Ministers "pushed ahead too fast" and "didn't listen enough" on welfare reform, the Education Secretary has admitted after the Government was forced to abandon controversial benefit changes. Bridget Phillipson acknowledged it had been a "tough or challenging week" following fierce opposition from Labour backbenchers to planned cuts to personal independence payments.
The Education Secretary told the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme that the Government "didn't get it right" in both the pace and nature of the proposed welfare changes. Ministers were forced to scrap their plans for personal independence payment (Pip) reforms after facing a potential backbench revolt from Labour MPs.
Government admits reform mistakes
"I'd be the first to acknowledge that, both in the pace and the nature of what we set out, we didn't get it right, but we do need to reform the system we've got," Phillipson said. She added that the Prime Minister had recognised they "pushed ahead too fast" and "didn't listen enough to people" who had concerns about the proposed changes.
Ministers have warned MPs there will be financial consequences following Tuesday's decision not to reform Pip as originally planned. The climbdown has raised questions about the Government's authority and ability to push through difficult reforms.
Two-child benefit cap under pressure
Labour backbenchers have been mounting pressure on the Government to scrap the controversial two-child benefit cap, which limits child tax credits and universal credit to the first two children in most families. When asked whether the Pip U-turn made scrapping the cap less likely, Phillipson said ministers were "looking at every lever" to lift children out of poverty.
However, she acknowledged that "the decisions that have been taken in the last week do make decisions, future decisions harder". The Education Secretary insisted the Government would continue to examine "all of the ways that we can lift children out of poverty" collectively.
Opposition demands fiscal clarity
Shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride has written to the Office for Budget Responsibility requesting an updated fiscal forecast following Labour's recent U-turns on welfare and winter fuel payments. In his letter, Stride argued that "the public, Parliament and markets deserve clarity and transparency about the impact of recent events on the nation's finances".
The Conservatives plan to table amendments to the Government's welfare Bill this week aimed at tightening access to Pip and universal credit. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch is expected to pledge on Thursday that the Conservatives are "now the only party committed to serious welfare reform".
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
