Scottish Labour MPs Rebel Against UK Government's Disability Benefits Cuts

Strategic Insights -

Over 100 Scottish Labour MPs, including 9 Scottish Labour MPs and 13 committee chairs, are planning to join a rebel group to block the UK government's proposed cuts to disability benefits. The proposed cuts aim to save £5 billion a year by 2030, but Labour MPs argue that they will push 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, into relative poverty.

The Labour MPs are using a parliamentary mechanism called a reasoned amendment to record their objections to the Bill. If a majority of MPs vote in favor of the amendment, the Bill would not be allowed to progress through Parliament. However, the government has a working majority of 165 in the House of Commons, making it difficult for the amendment to pass.

The UK government's own impact assessment predicts that the Bill will affect 3.2 million families, causing them to lose an average of £1,720 per year. The Department of Work and Pensions also expects 370,000 people who currently receive disability benefits to no longer qualify, and 430,000 will get less than they were previously entitled to.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 100 Labour MPs, including 9 Scottish Labour MPs and 13 committee chairs, have signed an amendment to block the UK government's proposed cuts to disability benefits.
  • The proposed cuts aim to save £5 billion a year by 2030, but Labour MPs argue that they will push 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, into relative poverty.
  • The Labour MPs are using a parliamentary mechanism called a reasoned amendment to record their objections to the Bill.
  • The UK government's own impact assessment predicts that the Bill will affect 3.2 million families, causing them to lose an average of £1,720 per year.
  • The Department of Work and Pensions also expects 370,000 people who currently receive disability benefits to no longer qualify, and 430,000 will get less than they were previously entitled to.
  • The SNP is also calling on the Prime Minister to completely withdraw the proposals, citing the harm that the cuts will cause to disabled people.
  • Labour's former chief whip and several other senior Labour MPs, including select committee chairs, are joining with the SNP to vote against the cuts.
  • Anas Sarwar, the leader of Scottish Labour, has faced criticism for his stance on the cuts, with many accusing him of being weak and lacking a clear opposition to the proposals.

Statistics:

  • 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, are predicted to be pushed into relative poverty due to the cuts (Source: UK Government's impact assessment)
  • 370,000 people who currently receive disability benefits are expected to no longer qualify (Source: Department of Work and Pensions)
  • 430,000 people are expected to get less than they were previously entitled to (Source: Department of Work and Pensions)
  • 3.2 million families are expected to be affected, losing an average of £1,720 per year (Source: UK Government's impact assessment)
  • 2.8 million people are economically inactive due to long-term sickness (Source: Labour Party)
  • 70bn is the predicted cost of the benefits system by the end of the decade (Source: Labour Party)

Sources:

  • [1] https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/over-100-labour-mps-back-rebel-plan-to-block-disability-cuts-5036255
  • [2] https://www.scotsman.com/topic/disability
  • [3] Lindsay Hoyle. Who is the Speaker of the House of Commons? Does Lindsay Hoyle support Labour. (2023, February 22). Retrieved from https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/lindsay-hoyle-who-is-the-speaker-of-the-house-of-commons-does-lindsay-hoyle-support-labour-4528523
  • [4] Rachel Reeves told to abandon austerity welfare cuts in spending review by the SNP. (2023, March 7). Retrieved from https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/chancellor-rachel-reeves-told-to-abandon-austerity-welfare-cuts-in-spending-review-by-the-snp-5166300
  • [5] Scottish Labour cuts to disabled people to be withdrawn by PM. (2023, March 10). Retrieved from https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/this-is-not-austerity-scottish-labours-anas-sarwar-defends-cutting-billions-in-benefits-5039498