PM vows to stick to welfare reforms despite MP rebellion

SIR Keir Starmer faces a showdown with Labour rebels after vowing to press ahead with welfare reforms, despite a brewing revolt among more than 100 backbenchers over planned cuts.

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The Prime Minister yesterday said the Government must take “hard, honest choices” in a defiant message after some 108 MPs from within his party signed a Commons bid to stop the changes in their tracks.

Meanwhile Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, who has already agreed to soften the impact of the welfare Bill, is locked in talks with backbenchers as she seeks to win over those opposed to the plans.

The size of the rebellion is enough to threaten Sir Keir's majority and defeat the Government’s plans if opposition MPs sided with the backbenchers.