- Over 130 MPs, including 120 Labour members, oppose proposed cuts to disability and sickness benefits.
- The Universal Credit and PIP Bill could cut £5bn annually by 2030, sparking widespread dissent.
- Sadiq Khan and several senior MPs warn reforms threaten the financial safety net for vulnerable citizens.
A major rebellion is shaking the Labour Party as over 130 MPs sign an amendment challenging Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s proposed overhaul of the UK’s welfare system.
The rebellion has drawn support from a cross-section of Labour MPs, including recent election winners, long-standing members, and even those suspended or sitting as independents.
Storm Brews Within Labour as MPs Defy Starmer’s £5bn Welfare Cut Plan
The dispute reflects a deeper ideological split within Labour about the direction of social policy. While the leadership emphasizes fiscal responsibility and reform, many MPs view the planned cuts as a betrayal of core Labour values. The rebellion suggests a growing demand for a more inclusive and compassionate welfare agenda, especially in the wake of rising living costs and inequality.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Health Secretary Wes Streeting are reportedly among senior figures lobbying backbenchers to abandon the amendment. Their efforts have largely failed, with only one MP, Samantha Niblett, withdrawing support. This highlights a rare but significant show of resistance against party leadership, underscoring Starmer’s increasingly fragile grip on internal unity.
MPs argue that the Universal Credit and PIP Bill lacks a robust impact assessment and fails to outline adequate job market support for those affected. This concern is amplified by the lack of detailed consultations, prompting some MPs to warn that the government risks acting in haste with long-term social consequences. The fear is that vulnerable individuals could be left with little to no support if their conditions are reclassified.
Public reaction has been mixed, with some backing the government’s ambition to create a more targeted system, while others fear a repeat of austerity-era policies. In a striking turn, Tory MPs are also undecided, with some saying the cuts don’t go far enough, introducing further uncertainty. Meanwhile, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has attempted to reframe the policy as part of a moral vision for a fairer, opportunity-rich society.
This growing Labour rebellion underscores the delicate balance between reform and compassion. As the Tuesday vote looms, Starmer faces not only a parliamentary challenge but a broader test of leadership and vision.
“The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members.” – Mahatma Gandhi
