The government’s welfare plans have to be pushed through, Keir Starmer has said, indicating that there will be no further concessions in the face of a potentially significant Labour rebellion over cuts to disability benefits.
Speaking to reporters on his way to the G7 summit in Canada, the prime minister set out his determination to get the plans through parliament, after ministers warned mutinous MPs about the consequences of voting against the government.
Liz Kendall, the work and pensions secretary, has sought to offer some concessions before a Commons vote next month, with a large number of Labour MPs particularly worried about the tightening of eligibility rules on personal independence payments (Pips) for disabled people.
“We’ve got to reform the welfare system,” Starmer said when asked about the prospect of a rebellion, with some estimates saying as many as 170 MPs could oppose the plans.
“Everybody agrees with that proposition, so we’ve got to do that basic reform,” he said. “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 into work should have that support into 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.”
Pressed on whether this meant there would be no more concessions, Starmer replied: “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.”
The seemingly tough line follows efforts by ministers to try to reassure possible rebels and, when needed, to warn them against voting down the welfare bill.
Some MPs had said there were suggestions the vote could be treated as a confidence issue, with those rebelling facing suspension from the whip or even deselection. No 10 and government sources denied this. But plans have been drawn up for a possible reshuffle if any ministers resign.
The biggest sticking points in the plans, first put forward in March in a welfare green paper and intended to save £5bn a year, are the revised rules on Pip, and on benefits for carers.
According to a government response to a Liberal Democrat parliamentary question last month, up to 1.3 million people across England and Wales could lose at least some support under the changes.
It showed that under the current proposals, which would come into effect next year, about 1.1 million standard-rate Pip claimants and 200,000 enhanced-rate claimants could lose at least some of the payment.
The government data gave statistics by parliamentary constituency, showing the impact in more deprived areas. The constituency with the most people who could lose support was Liverpool Walton, followed by Blackpool South and Liverpool Riverside. About 5,000 people in each area could lose some Pip payments.
