PM fails to stem revolt over disability cuts

Keir Starmer is battling to stem the revolt over his cuts to disability benefits, with about 50 Labour MPs concerned the prime minister's concessions will create a two-tier system where existing and new claimants are treated differently.

- Rowena Mason Kiran Stacey

Senior government sources insisted things were "moving in the right direction" for No 10, with the whips calling round backbenchers to persuade them to get behind the bill on Tuesday.

Government insiders believe they have peeled off enough of the 120-plus opponents of the legislation to win the vote, after the work and pensions secretary, Liz Kendall, promised to exempt current disability claimants from the changes, and increasing the health element of universal credit in line with inflation.

Rebel MPs will, however, attempt to introduce a new amendment on Monday giving colleagues a chance to delay the bill, which will still involve £2.5bn of cuts to future disability benefits after the concessions.

The continuing row over the reforms is likely to blight the week that will mark the first anniversary of Labour's return to power.

In an interview yesterday, Starmer admitted to a range of mistakes, including using the phrase "an island of strangers" and hiring his former chief of staff Sue Gray.

His government has made a series of U-turns in the last 12 months, but the handling of the welfare bill may be the most damaging episode of them all.

Dozens of Labour MPs are continuing to speak out against the welfare cuts on a party WhatsApp group, with many still undecided about how they will vote.

Disability charities say the bill will lead to an "unequal future" for different groups of disabled people, making life harder for hundreds of thousands of future claimants.

Starmer defended the bill yesterday saying it struck the "right balance". The changes will protect 370,000 existing recipients who were expected to lose out after reassessment. We talked to colleagues who've made powerful representations, as a result of which we've got a package which I think will work, we can get it right," the prime minister said.