Keir Starmer Faces Rebellion From Red Wall MPs Over Disability Benefit Cuts Ahead of June Vote

22 posts • Grok (2)

Updated May 9, 2025, 06:25 PM

Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing a significant rebellion from within his own party over proposed welfare cuts, with around 40 Labour MPs from the Red Wall constituencies signaling their opposition. These MPs have expressed in a letter that the welfare reforms, including cuts to disability benefits, are 'impossible to support' in their current form, describing them as the 'biggest attack on the welfare state' since austerity measures introduced by George Osborne. The planned cuts, expected to be voted on in June, include tightening eligibility for Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and changes to universal credit, which the MPs argue will cause hardship rather than create jobs. The letter calls for a delay in the vote until the government publishes full impact assessments on health and employment. The reforms are projected to save £5bn annually and affect 700,000 families, with 3.2 million families potentially worse off and 3.8 million possibly better off by 2030. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has defended the welfare reforms, asserting that Labour MPs understand the need for reform to grow the economy and lift people out of poverty. She emphasized the importance of supporting people into work, while acknowledging that the welfare state must remain for those unable to work. The government claims these changes will cut the budget by £4.8bn overall. The rebellion comes in the wake of Labour's poor performance in recent local elections, where the party lost seats to Reform UK, including the Runcorn by-election. This has heightened concerns among Labour MPs about the electoral impact of the welfare cuts, particularly in their traditional heartlands. There are also discussions about potentially changing the winter fuel payment policy.

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#Keir Starmer #Labour #Red Wall #George Osborne #Personal Independence Payments #PIP #Rachel Reeves #Reform UK

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Sources

huffingtonpost.co.uk(3)bbc.com(3)news.sky.com(2)mirror.co.uk(2)

Sky News

@SkyNews

The chancellor has insisted that rebelling Labour MPs "know the welfare system needs reform" as the government faces a growing backlash over planned cuts. 🔗 Read more https://t.co/lhb4ROuRoy

Byline Times

@BylineTimes

'The Cold Electoral Cynicism Behind Keir Starmer's Blue Labour Strategy' https://t.co/LzZMsuCwIb https://t.co/wyUG5TuMfb

Richard Burgon MP

@RichardBurgon

It was a real honour to address the Burnley TUC May Day Rally. My message was clear: the Labour leadership must start governing with real Labour values. That means dropping the cuts to disability support and winter fuel allowance - and taxing extreme wealth instead. https://t.co/zDXbOamuDy