Welfare reforms strike 'right balance'

Sir Keir Starmer has said his “welfare reforms now strike the right balance” after he U-turned in the face of a major back-bench rebellion.

- PRESS ASSOCIATION REPORTERS

Speaking for the first time after Downing Street agreed a series of concessions on its welfare policy, the Prime Minister said the climbdown followed a “constructive discussion” with Labour rebels.

He told broadcasters on Friday: “The most important thing is that we can make the reform we need.

“We talked to colleagues, who've made powerful representations, as a result of which we've got a package which I think will work, we can get it right.

“For me, getting that package adjusted in that way is the right thing to do, it means it’s the right balance, it’s common sense that we can now get on with it.”

Earlier, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said the party was in “a good place” on welfare reform, after offering concessions to rebels late on Thursday.

Some 126 Labour MPs had signed an amendment that would halt the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill in its tracks when it faces its first Commons hurdle on Tuesday.