UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has sharply diluted plans to cut disability and sickness benefits after facing the largest back-bench revolt of his premiership. At one point 127 Labour lawmakers—more than one-third of the party—signed a Commons amendment intended to block the Welfare Reform Bill, and Vicky Foxcroft resigned as a government whip in protest.
Under concessions set out by Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall on 27 June, tighter eligibility rules for Personal Independence Payment will now affect only new applicants from November 2026, while the health-related element of Universal Credit will be uprated with inflation rather than frozen. Ministers also promised a review of PIP assessments co-designed with disability groups and accelerated a £1 billion package to help people into work.
The retreat halves the Treasury’s projected savings to roughly £2.5 billion a year, according to the Resolution Foundation, but the Department for Work and Pensions still estimates around 150,000 additional people could fall into poverty by the end of the decade. Welfare spending on incapacity and disability benefits is nevertheless forecast to top £100 billion by 2030.
Despite the climb-down, around 50 Labour MPs are still expected to oppose the bill, and 35 have backed a fresh amendment aimed at defeating it outright. The opposition Conservative Party says the watered-down plan is no longer a serious attempt to curb costs and will vote against it.
Starmer, who describes repairing the “broken” welfare system as a “moral imperative,” insists the government will press ahead with Tuesday’s second-reading vote. The outcome will determine whether his administration can advance its flagship welfare overhaul or suffer a politically damaging early defeat.
'This is about dignity for disabled people which is why so many of us feel so strongly about this'
Labour MP Rachael Maskell told #BBCBreakfast 'loads more' MPs have told her they will support her amendment to block the government's welfare reforms
'The main long-term problem here is this is going to be an issue now at the next general election.'
Quentin Letts previews this evening's vote on the Government's welfare reforms as nearly 50 Labour MPs are expected to vote against them.
'Vote down the Bill or better still pull the Bill, consult and let's start again'
Labour MP Rachael Maskell told #BBCBreakfast why she is leading the opposition to the government's planned welfare reforms
