Ministers Consider Softening Welfare Cuts Before Key Vote

Ministers are considering tweaks to soften their controversial welfare cuts before a crunch vote in parliament next month.

- Eleni Courea

The government is examining a potential reform that could allow up to 200,000 people to keep their disability benefits by tweaking assessment rules.

In March, Labour announced plans to save £5bn a year by reforming the welfare system, including by cutting personal independence payments (Pips) for disabled people. The proposals have alarmed many Labour MPs, with more than 100 signing a letter saying they cannot support them.

Ministers are looking at potential tweaks to mollify Labour backbenchers. The Financial Times reported that one of the changes being looked at is a tweak to the proposed Pip assessment rules so individuals who receive a high overall score continue to be eligible, even if they do not receive at least four points in any category.

A government source told the Guardian that this was "an option they're considering", although sources in Downing Street and Whitehall denied it was on the table.