Keir Starmer backed Liz Kendall's cuts as he rejected further amendments (Image: PA)
A bullish Keir Starmer is bracing to face down hardline Labour MP rebels this week after he insisted there would be no more concessions on planned welfare reform. Speaking ahead of a crunch vote in Parliament that could see dozens of left-wing MPs rebel against the plans, Sir Keir said he would be pushing ahead with cuts to PIP.
He told reporters flying to Canada: “We've got to reform the welfare system. Everybody agrees with that proposition. So we've got to do that basic reform. It doesn't work for those that need support and help into work and it doesn't work for the taxpayer. So it's got to be reformed. The principles remain the same, those who can work should work. Those who need support in to work should have that support in to work which I don't think they are getting at the moment. Those who are never going to be able to work should be properly supported and protected. And that includes not being reassessed and reassessed. So they are the principles, we need to do reform and we will be getting on with that reform when the Bill comes."
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The minor cuts have sparked furious backlash on the left (Image: Getty)
Asked to clarify whether he intends to grant any further concessions to his backbench rebels ahead of the vote early next week.
The PM doubled down: “Well we have got to get the reforms through and I have been clear about that from start to finish. The system is not working, it's not working for those that need support, it's not working for taxpayers.”
“Everybody agrees it needs reform, we have got to reform it and that is what we intend to do.”
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It comes after one Labour MP told a newspaper that a recent olive branch from Work & Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall was an “insult” to disabled people.
The anonymous rebel added that Ms Kendall is “massively” underestimating “anger” within Labour MP ranks.
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The plans will come into affect from November, and while Sir Keir’s proposals have sparked the threat of his biggest rebellion yet, many argue the planned cuts are nowhere near large enough.
Britain’s bill for health and disability benefits for working-age adults is forecast to rise to a whopping ￡75.7 billion by 2029/30.
Overall spending on benefits and pensions meanwhile will rocket to over ￡370 billion by the end of the decade.
In March, the Tory shadow Welfare Secretary Helen Whately said that Ms Kendall’s ￡5 billion reduction in the PIP bill “just doesn’t cut it”.
“With a bill so big, going up so fast, she needed to be tougher.”
Under pressure: Liz Kendall (Image: Getty)
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This Thursday, Ms Kendall offered rebels a small tweak to her reforms, which would mean that hundreds of thousands of PIP claimants who are no longer eligible will continue to receive the payment for 13 weeks, up from 4 weeks.
However Clive Lewis MP said: “Did I somehow miss that the NHS can now grow back legs and repair spines in 13 weeks?”
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“If that isn’t the case, then I’m afraid the answer is still, no.”
Brian Leishman MP added: “If the revised changes are indeed what the Government think will persuade MPs to now support the plans, then they are mistaken.”
“These revised changes are an insult to disabled people and I will not vote for them.”
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