Government confirms welfare climbdown in deal with rebels

   

 

The government has confirmed it will make changes to its welfare bill following pressure from Labour rebels on its planned changes to benefits.

 

In a letter to MPs, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said claimants of the Personal Independence Payment (Pip) will continue to receive what they currently get, as will recipients of the health element of Universal Credit. Instead, planned cuts will only hit future claimants.

 

The concessions amount to a massive climbdown from the government, which was staring at the prospect of defeat if it failed to accommodate the demands of over 100 of its backbenchers.

 

In a statement, a No 10 spokesperson said: "We have listened to MPs who support the principle of reform but are worried about the pace of change for those already supported by the system.

 

"This package will preserve the social security system for those who need it by putting it on a sustainable footing, provide dignity for those unable to work, supports those who can and reduce anxiety for those currently in the system.

 

"Our reforms are underpinned by Labour values and our determination to deliver the change the country voted for last year."

 

Ministers are also expected to fast-track a £1bn support plan originally scheduled for 2029.

 

It comes after Sir Keir Starmer spent Thursday making calls to shore up support among the 120 Labour MPs who backed an amendment to stop the government's flagship welfare bill ahead of a Commons vote on Tuesday.

 

Speaking in the Commons earlier, Sir Keir said he wanted to "see reform implemented with Labour values and fairness".

 

Dame Meg Hillier, who had led the effort to block changes to disability benefits, said she would now support the government's welfare bill.

 

"I'm going to be backing it now because it is a good step forward," she said.

 

There had been a "big change since last week," she said, which would "ensure the most vulnerable people are protected".

 

Dame Meg said that she was pleased that the changes would mean "involving disabled people themselves in the future design" of benefits.

 

Broadly speaking the rebels have told the BBC their colleagues are happy with the concessions, meaning the bill is now likely to pass.

 

Peter Lamb, Labour MP for Crawley, posted on social media that he would still not support the bill - calling the changes "insufficient" and accusing ministers of ignoring better options.