Welfare shake-up is not to save cash, it's a moral mission, insists Kendall

Slashing disability benefits 'absolutely not cruel', says work and pensions chief as Labour MPs plot rebellion

- Rachel Sylvester

Welfare reform is a "moral mission" for the Labour government rather than a way to save money, the work and pensions secretary, Liz Kendall, has said.

With more than 100 Labour MPs threatening to rebel against plans to slash disability benefits for millions of people, Keir Starmer faces the possibility of his first defeat when the legislation comes before the Commons next month.

Kendall said she thought the government would win a parliamentary vote if it were held tomorrow and insisted the changes were needed to ensure the survival of the welfare state. "I know people are concerned and I am listening hard but my message is that this is about transforming lives," she said. "I would be reforming the welfare system to be more proactive for those who could work, whatever the state of the public finances."

In an interview with The Observer, Kendall indicated she was in favour of scrapping the two-child benefit cap, which charities have warned is driving up child poverty. "On the child poverty strategy, we are looking at every possible lever. All elements of social security are part of that."