150 Labour MPs ready to rebel against welfare reforms

As many as 150 Labour MPs are threatening to rebel against the government's welfare reforms next month, raising the prospect of Keir Starmer's first Commons defeat since becoming prime minister.

- Catherine Neilan

Around a dozen people “on payroll” - junior ministers and parliamentary private secretaries - are toying with the idea of resigning, according to sources, following in the footsteps of Vicky Foxcroft, who quit her role as a whip last week.

With a working majority of 165, at least 83 Labour MPs would have to defy the whip for Starmer to lose the vote on the reforms.