Badenoch offers starmer welfare reforms backing

Kemi Badenoch has offered to rescue Sir Keir Starmer from his own Labour backbenchers after a massive rebellion threatened to bring down his welfare reforms.

- DAVID MADDOX, MILLIE COOKE, KATE DEVLIN

In a late intervention yesterday evening, the Tory leader stepped in to say her party would back the swingeing cuts to benefits, as more than 100 Labour MPs were gearing up to reject the plans when they are voted on next week.

It came after the defiant PM hit back at Labour rebels, warning that "those who care about a future welfare system" must support the legislation.

And with question marks about whether he could survive a potential defeat, Sir Keir also insisted on Sky News that it is "not a confidence vote".

However, warnings have already been made by critics in Labour and the trade unions that it would be "shameful" of him to rely on Tory votes next Tuesday to get the legislation needed to slash benefits passed.

MPs are set to vote on the reforms next Tuesday, which are expected to save the Treasury £5bn a year in savings, mostly by reducing personal independence payments (PIPS) for those with disabilities.

So far, 108 Labour backbenchers have signed a reasoned amendment to kill the bill, with organisers of the rebellion privately admitting to surprise at the number of MPs who have backed it.

As many as 12 ministers are understood to be considering rebelling against the legislation, while 108 Labour MPs have signed a new amendment which would stop the bill in its tracks.

Capitalising on the political chaos for the government, Ms Badenoch has appeared to have calculated that it would be more humiliating for the prime minister to need her to pass an essential bill.