Labour MPs prepare to rebel against welfare cuts

Labour rebels have said they will refuse to support Sir Keir Starmer's plans to slash disability benefits - despite claims they could face deselection if they vote against the reforms.

- DAVID MADDOX

The Independent has been told that MPs - including ministers considering rebelling against the government's welfare reforms on Tuesday next week have been threatened with losing the whip and even, according to two sources, deselection.

The issue came to a head in a fiery meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party addressed by work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall yesterday evening with several MPs privately claiming it could end up with Sir Keir being forced out as leader.

The rebellion became official shortly after with an amendment to the welfare reform bill next week calling for a pause in the reforms, which some believe could be signed by as many as 100 MPs.

The government plans to make £5bn a year in savings on welfare mostly by reducing personal independence payments (PIPS) for those with disabilities by limiting access to them for all apart from the most disabled.

Previously, at least 80 Labour MPs, including 12 ministers, are understood to be considering rebelling against the legislation needed to cut the welfare bill by £5bn a year. But the new amendment, which is understood to be fronted by the Treasury select committee chair Meg Hillier and other committee chairs, may garner even more support.

One senior MP told The Independent: "The sharks are circling around the prime minister."

Another complained that "the government hasn't listened to private concerns".

According to The Guardian, the amendment is expected to note that assessments suggest 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, may be pushed into poverty.

Ms Kendall told the private meeting of Labour parliamentarians that there is "no route to social justice based on greater benefit spending alone" but her appeal was described as "cloth eared".