MPs pondering if welfare climbdown has gone far enough

THE Government's personal independence payments (PIP) concessions have been met with a mixed reaction from Labour MPs in Teesside.

- By DANIEL HODGSON Local democracy reporter

Following much disquiet from their own MPs through-out last week, the Labour Government has confirmed a climbdown on some of the measures included in the welfare reform bill, due to be voted on tomorrow.

Most notably, those who currently receive PIP will continue to do so. The Government's original package of measures would have seen PIP eligibility restricted for existing claimants.

Earlier last week, it was confirmed both Middlesbrough MPs had signed a "reasoned amendment" that attempted to deny the upcoming Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill a vote.

Then on Thursday, 70 councillors from across the Tees Valley signed a letter to Liz Kendall, Work and Pensions Secretary, urging a "pause" to the PIP cuts.

Middlesbrough's MPs have had varying reactions to the concessions that came just after midnight on Friday, with one saying he will still vote against the welfare reform bill, while the other has consulted affected constituents to gauge what they think about the concessions from the Government.

Labour MP for Middlesbrough and Thornaby East, Andy McDonald, who has been a vocal critic of the proposed measures for some time, set out his stall on the updated bill.

Mr McDonald said: "I will be voting against it, because it hasn't dealt with the totality of the picture. It is bringing about the change, it is just poverty delayed - poverty postponed - for millions of people in the future.