Jobless figure 'indefensible', says PM amid cuts backlash

Shabana Mahmood, last week, Starmer said: "This is the Labour party. We believe in the dignity of work and we believe in the dignity of every worker. Which is why I am not afraid to take the big decisions needed to return this country to their interests. Whether that's on welfare, immigration, our public services or our public finances."

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Following the meeting, MPs privately criticised the prime minister for failing to respond to a direct question on Pip when one MP directly challenged him. The MP described his own daughter who has significant disabilities - and asked for reassurance about the cuts, saying it would have a huge impact on his own family. "There was audible support in the room but the PM did not respond," another MP said.

Another MP said there was otherwise little specific dissent in the room. "People wanted to know how to make the argument... And he talked about how many young people are on these benefits and how that cannot be right."

Meanwhile, a group of leading disability and poverty charities urged ministers to "think again" about the planned cuts, saying they would have a devastating impact on some of the UK's poorest families.