Keir Starmer promised to ‘press ahead’ with benefits curbs today despite more than 100 Labour MPs joining a Commons revolt.
Some 108 MPs have signed a ‘reasoned’ amendment that would effectively kill off the legislation in a Commons vote on July 1.
The scale of the rebellion – reaching into every corner of the party – could be enough to overturn the government’s massive majority. One minister has already quit in protest with others said to be considering walking out.
Sir Keir looked to be softening the ground for defeat this afternoon, stressing it will not be a ‘confidence vote’.
But it raises the prospect of yet another humiliating U-turn – and Rachel Reeves having to find a way of covering the £5billion the reforms are meant to save. Just yesterday the Chancellor was insisting there will be no major concessions.
Even with the changes the cost of working age benefits is still due to soar in the coming years.
Asked whether he would consider pausing his plans in light of the rebellion, the Prime Minister told reporters in the Netherlands: ‘We were elected to change what is broken in our country.
‘The welfare system is broken and that’s why we will press ahead with our reforms.
‘It’s very important that we do so, because the current system is not working for anybody.
‘People are trapped in it and I’m not prepared to allow that to happen. So, we will press forward with our reforms.’
He added that there was ‘a clear moral case’ for the changes, with 1,000 people per day going onto personal independence payments (Pip).
Sir Keir said: ‘The additions to Pip each year are the equivalent of the population of a city the size of Leicester.
‘That’s not a system that can be left unreformed, not least because it’s unsustainable and therefore you won’t have a welfare system for those that need it in the future.’
Downing Street denied that the proposals were effectively ‘dead on arrival’.
Ministers including Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner have refused to rule out kicking MPs out of the party if they vote against the change, leading some to threaten to form ‘Labour 2’ if that happens.
The amendment, published on the Commons order paper today, notes there is a ‘need for the reform of the social security system’.
But it calls for the Commons to decline to continue scrutinising the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill ‘because the Government’s own impact assessment estimates that 250,000 people will be pushed into poverty as a result of these provisions, including 50,000 children’.
There has been no formal consultation with disabled people who will be impacted by the changes, the MPs said.
They also point to the fact that an analysis of the impact of the reforms on employment from the Office for Budget Responsibility will not be published until the autumn.
Several Labour select committee chairs were among those who put their name to the amendment, including chairwoman of the Treasury committee Dame Meg Hillier, and Debbie Abrahams, chairwoman of the work and pensions select committee.
The MPs who signed the amendment ‘want the Government to listen and to think again on this Bill’, Ms Abrahams said.
She added: ‘We are being asked to vote for this Bill before disabled people have been consulted, before impact assessments have been conducted and before we have given enough time to some of the Government’s key policies – investing in the NHS, to the right to try, and to work coaching – (to) have been able to bed in.’
Vicky Foxcroft, the former Government whip who resigned over the welfare plans, has also signed the amendment.
Helen Hayes, the chair of the education committee who was a shadow education minister for three years under Sir Keir in opposition, said: ‘Reform of our benefits system is needed, but the cuts to PIP will push some disabled people out of work and increase poverty.
‘That’s unjustifiable. Ministers must rethink to get this right.’
Touring broadcast studios this morning, Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden admitted the insurrection was ‘very serious’ and stressed there would be ‘discussions’ with MPs.
Mr McFadden told Sky News: ‘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.’
Mr McFadden insisted the growing costs of welfare were unsustainable, as a ‘city the size of Leicester’ was being added to the population on benefits each year.
‘I don’t think as the party of labour, the party of work, we can sit back and be relaxed about so many people going on to long-term sickness and disability benefits,’ he added.
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle would need to select the amendment when MPs debate the legislation at its second reading.
Under the proposals in the Bill, ministers will limit eligibility for the personal independence payment (Pip), the main disability payment in England, and limit the sickness-related element of Universal Credit (UC).
Ministers have previously said the reforms could save up to £5 billion a year.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall addressed the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) last night as she tries to quell unrest.
She argued the plans are ‘rooted in fairness’ and intended to ensure the survival of the welfare state.
Ms Kendall added: ‘Above all, they are about our belief that everyone can fulfil their potential and live their hopes and dreams when, collectively, we provide them with real opportunities and support.
‘This is the better future we seek to build for our constituents and our country.’
