Starmer 'in denial' over scale of Labour MPs' welfare rebellion

Ministers thought to be preparing concessions amid growing anger

- Jessica Elgot Aletha Adu Kiran Stacey

Labour MPs accused No 10 of being in denial yesterday about the scale of the rebellion over the welfare cuts amid division at the top of government over whether to pull the controversial bill.

Ministers are understood to be considering further concessions by the weekend - with more than 120 MPs poised to rebel against the government.

Some cabinet ministers are now said to believe the welfare reform bill has no chance of passing in its current form, although some are still being deployed to speak to angry MPs in an attempt to win them over.

Keir Starmer fuelled further anger within the party by appearing to shrug off mounting Labour unrest over the proposed cuts, dismissing the backlash as "noises off" and insisting his party remains "pretty united" behind the need for change.

The prime minister is facing the biggest revolt of his tenure over a bill that would make it harder to access personal independence payments (Pip), the main disability benefit.

Labour whips admitted privately they were having no success persuading MPs to withdraw their names from an amendment that would, in effect, kill the bill next Tuesday.

The rebellion is being led by select committee chairs and previously loyalist Labour MPs concerned about the scale of the disability cuts.

At least two more MPs were expected to sign the reasoned amendment overnight - making it at least 126 rebel Labour MPs.

Just one MP has withdrawn their name despite significant pressure from whips and cabinet ministers.

The chair of the environmental audit select committee and former shadow minister, Toby Perkins, is among the latest to sign the amendment.