More than 100 Labour MPs threaten to halt welfare cuts
Some 108 MP's signatures appear on a reasoned amendment declining to give the welfare reform bill a second reading when it is debated on July 1.
It marks the largest rebellion Keir Starmer has faced yet, and would be enough to defeat the UK Government's plans if opposition MPs joined the Labour rebels.
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The Government's Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill would, among other things, change the eligibility criteria for the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) disability benefit, making it harder for people to be awarded.
The amendment, published on Tuesday's order paper, notes there is a "need for the reform of the social security system".
However, it calls for MPs to decline to continue scrutinising the bill because of the Government's own impact assessment, which "estimates that 250,000 people will be pushed into poverty as a result of these provisions, including 50,000 children".
The MPs also pointed towards the fact that there has been no formal consultation with disabled people who will be impacted by the consultation, and that an analysis of the impact of the reforms from the Office for Budget Responsibility will not be published until the autumn.
Full text of amendment 👇🏼 pic.twitter.com/tjVhuiEqXE — Pippa Crerar (@PippaCrerar) June 23, 2025
Several Labour select committee chairs were among those who put their name to the amendment, including chairwoman of the Treasury committee Dame Meg Hillier, and Debbie Abrahams, chairwoman of the work and pensions select committee.
Vicky Foxcroft, the former Government whip who resigned from her role just last week over the welfare plans, has also signed the amendment.
A total of nine Scottish Labour MPs have also added their names: Brian Leishman, Patricia Ferguson, Tracy Gilbert, Scott Arthur, Richard Baker, Lilian Jones, Elaine Stewart, Kirsteen Sullivan and Euan Stainbank.
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This amendment is not the first attempt to decline a second reading to the bill.
Last week, The National told how the Independence Alliance - the group of Independent MPs, including former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn - tabled an amendment to decline a second reading on the grounds that it "fails to provide a fair and compassionate approach to reforming disability benefits",
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall spent Monday night speaking to backbench MPs about the reforms at a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP).
Those leaving the meeting claimed there was broad consensus in the room, with only few MPs standing up to make their opposition known.
Kendall told the PLP that the UK Government's plans are "rooted in fairness", as she argued they are about ensuring the survival of the welfare state.
The UK Government has previously warned of consequences for Labour MPs who rebel against the Government.
Such warnings were reiterated on Tuesday by Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden, who told BBC Breakfast it would be a "very serious thing" for Labour MPs to rebel.
He said: "You're right to point out that this phrase 'reasoned amendment' isn't just a small tweak. It would stop the legislative process if it succeeded.
"I don't think as the party of labour, the party of work, we can sit back and be relaxed about so many people going on to long-term sickness and disability benefits."
In order to be debated on Monday, the amendment would need to be selected by Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle.
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