Benefits reform must be pushed through, says PM

Sir Keir Starmer has hit back at potential rebels in the Labour Party over his plans to cut the benefits bill, insisting “we have got to get the reforms through.”

MPs will vote in the coming weeks on a package of measures aiming to cut the benefits bill by £5bn by 203 – including making it harder for disabled people with less severe conditions to claim Personal Independence Payment (Pip) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Dozens of Labour MPs have expressed concerns about the plans to cut Pip payments and the sickness-related element of Universal Credit.

But the prime minister said: “We have got to get the reforms through, and I have been clear about that from start to finish.”

Speaking to broadcasters he said: “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.”

The proposals include tightening eligibility for Pip – a benefit for people over 16 with long-term physical or mental health conditions designed to help them meet the extra costs they may face.

Up to 1.3 million people across England and Wales could lose at least some support under the changes, the government has suggested.

Many Labour MPs said they were prepared to vote against the government’s Welfare Reform Bill, which contains the planned changes.

Last week, ministers sought to reassure Labour MPs by introducing a 13-week transition period for those whose benefits are being withdrawn.

Carer’s allowance will continue to be paid during the 13-week transition, but will be ended when Pip is taken away.

Over the weekend, one Labour MP dismissed the concession to avert a rebellion as “not very much really”.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Saturday, Dr Simon Opher said the “slight delay” in ending the payments “doesn’t change the basic fact” the government are planning to cut disability payments.

The welfare package as a whole could push an extra 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, into relative poverty, according to the government’s impact assessment.

Asked if there could be further concessions, Sir Keir said he was determined to press ahead with the changes.

“The principles remain the same, those who can work should work,” Sir Keir said.

“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.”