Liz Kendall, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Image: Carl Court, Getty Images)
A Labour MP has scorned the Government's attempt to thwart a revolt on welfare cuts, labelling it as "not very much really". Stroud MP Dr Simon Opher, who is also a GP, has declared his intention to defy the party line in an upcoming vote, revealing that several of his colleagues are poised to do the same.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall is set to embed "non-negotiable" safeguards into the Welfare Reform Bill, reportedly ensuring that individuals losing eligibility for personal independence payments (Pip) will continue to receive them for an additional 13 weeks.
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Discussing the matter on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Saturday, Dr Opher said: "It's a slight delay in the disability cuts – it's 13 weeks rather than four weeks – so it's something, but not very much really.
"And it doesn't change the basic fact that they're... planning to cut disability payment to quite a lot of people really. So not terribly impressed, but it's something at least."
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The Government has met with fierce criticism from within its own ranks due to the proposed reforms, which aim to lower the number of working-age individuals receiving sickness benefits.
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Dr Simon Opher said he planned tor rebell (Image: Eamonn M. McCormack, Getty Images for SXSW London)
Numerous Labour MPs last month challenged the Prime Minister to halt and re-evaluate the planned reductions, criticising the measures as "impossible to support".
Dr Opher, when questioned about his stance if the measures were put to a vote in the Commons, told the programme: "I am going to rebel. And this comes hard to me, I've never actually voted against the Government and I know a number of colleagues in the same situation. So I just urge the Government really to just consider parts of this again."
A Green Paper outlined plans for a "transitional protection for those who are no longer eligible for Pip", yet the Government's recent announcements have specified the duration as 13 weeks.
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Ms Kendall earlier this week told The Guardian: "When we set out our reforms we promised to protect those most in need, particularly those who can never work.
"I know from my 15 years as a constituency MP how important this is. It is something I take seriously and will never compromise on.
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"That is why we are putting additional protections on the face of the Bill to support the most vulnerable and help people affected by the changes.
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"These protections will be written into law, a clear sign they are non-negotiable."
The Government's impact assessment accompanying the reforms cautioned that due to the proposed changes, an estimated 250,000 individuals, including 50,000 children, across England, Scotland, and Wales might slip into relative poverty after housing costs.