KEIR Starmer’s Labour are poised to announce sweeping cuts to welfare despite mounting backbench anger about the potential extent of the changes.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall will outline plans which the UK Government claims will get more people back to work and cut the cost of the rising benefits bill.
Reports say that the changes could slash some £5 billion of welfare payments and remove eligibility for the personal independence payment (PIP), the main disability benefit, from one million people.
The SNP have called for a U-turn, with First Minister John Swinney saying Labour should instead look to raise taxes rather than “balance the books on the backs of the poor”.
And Labour is facing discontent within their own ranks, which may spill into open rebellion is Kendall’s changes are large enough to require a Commons vote.
Kendall sought to reassure MPs on Monday that the reforms would ensure “trust and fairness” in the social security system and make sure benefits are available “for people who need it now, and for years to come”.
PIP is due to be devolved to Scotland, meaning cuts could have a knock-on impact north of the Border. You can find out more on that here.
When will Liz Kendall announce changes to PIP and benefit reform?
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall is expected to begin speaking in the House of Commons at around 12.30pm on Tuesday.
The start of her speech may be delayed slightly depending on whether the Speaker grants any urgent questions, which will be taken first.
Kendall is expected to speak for around 15 minutes before a full paper on the planned changes is published by the DWP.
She will then answer MPs questions, before speaking to media about the changes.
How can you watch Liz Kendall announce changes to PIP?
It is also likely to be shown in full on rolling news channels such as BBC News and Sky News. However, these are likely to cut off during MPs’ questions.
Why does Labour say the DWP cuts are needed?
Ministers insist that reform is necessary given the number of people in England and Wales claiming either sickness or disability benefit has soared from 2.8m to about 4.0m since 2019.
The benefits bill has risen with this increase, reaching £48 billion in 2023-24, and is forecast to continue rising to £67bn in 2029-30.
Number 10 has denied that the plans for cuts are purely as a result of the UK’s difficult fiscal situation.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to deliver a spring statement on March 26 against the background of a faltering economy and drastically reduced headroom against the debt rules she set herself in October.
“I think the Prime Minister has been clear there is both a moral and an economic case for fixing our broken social security system that’s holding our people back, and our country back,” Keir Starmer’s official spokesperson told reporters.
“That is why tomorrow the Government will set out plans to overhaul the health and disability benefits system so it supports those who can work to do so, while protecting those who are most in need, and put the welfare system back on a more sustainable path.”
