DODGED A BALLOT

176 Labour seats have majority less than number of claimants

- BY HANNAH RODGER Political Editor

LABOUR could have faced electoral wipeout if it went ahead with £5billion of benefits cuts, according to research from one of the party's own MPs.

A dossier compiled by Jon Trickett and shared with the Sunday Mail details 176 seats with a Labour majority less than the number of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants.

The parliamentarian used House of Commons data to prepare a report comparing MPs' majorities to the number of disability benefit claimants and winter fuel allowance recipients in their constituencies. Both groups face being hit by cuts aimed at rebalancing the country's finances.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has performed a partial U-turn on winter fuel, and last week agreed to limit changes to PIP in the face of a backbench rebellion.

Trickett's research shows Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper are among those whose majority was smaller than PIP claimants.

In Scotland - where the Scottish Government controls the equivalent benefit to PIP - all but one Labour MP has more winter fuel claimants than their majority.

Trickett, said his report "shows the enormous damage which the welfare changes would inflict on thousands of disabled including some of the most unfortunate people in every single community".