Sign in Subscribe
Starmer, Keir

Labour Rebellion Grows as Government Faces Defeat on Welfare Bill

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Keir Starmer has pressed ahead with plans for the universal credit and personal independence payments (Pip) bill, despite growing rebellion from Labour MPs and increased opposition from Northern Ireland. The bill, which would enact £5bn worth of disability and sickness benefit cuts, is set to face a crucial vote next week. With 123 Labour MPs and 11 MPs from opposition parties in Northern Ireland having signed the amendment to reject the bill, the government is expected to face a major defeat if the vote goes ahead.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Labour rebellion against the welfare bill has grown to 123 Labour MPs, with 11 MPs from opposition parties in Northern Ireland also signing the amendment to reject the bill.
  • Keir Starmer has confirmed that the vote on the bill will go ahead next week, despite speculation that the government may pull the vote due to the growing opposition.
  • The bill would enact £5bn worth of disability and sickness benefit cuts, with the government's impact assessments suggesting that the package would not get people back to work.
  • Kemi Badenoch, a Conservative MP, has effectively ruled out the party's support for the bill, saying that the government needs to commit to reducing the welfare budget and not introducing new tax rises.
  • The government is under pressure to make concessions to the rebels, with some ministers describing the mood in government as "panic".
  • Stephen Timms, the social security and disabilities minister, is due to give evidence to the Commons work and pensions committee about the proposed disability benefit cuts.
  • Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the Treasury, will give evidence to the Commons Treasury committee about the spending review.
  • Angela Rayner, the deputy PM, will take PMQs, while Wes Streeting, the health secretary, will announce plans to tackle stark inequalities in health funding.

Statistics:

  • 123 Labour MPs have signed the amendment to reject the welfare bill
  • 11 MPs from opposition parties in Northern Ireland have also signed the amendment
  • £5bn worth of disability and sickness benefit cuts are proposed in the bill
  • 1 in 3 Labour MPs have signed the amendment to reject the bill
  • 1 month remains before the vote on the bill
  • 123 is the number of Labour MPs who have signed the amendment
  • 11 is the number of MPs from opposition parties in Northern Ireland who have signed the amendment

Sources:

  • BBC: "Labour rebellion grows over welfare bill as government faces defeat"
  • The Times: "Privately, some close to the prime minister are preparing to delay next Tuesday's vote"
  • LBC: "Keir Starmer confirms vote on welfare bill will go ahead"
  • The Guardian: "Keir Starmer stands firm on welfare bill as number of Labour rebels passes 120"
  • Government impact assessments: "The package in this bill will not get people back to work"

Read more