Are the Universal Credit and PIP cuts going ahead? We explain how changes could affect you
LATE-NIGHT concessions were granted to Labour rebels on the flagship welfare reforms - giving relief to some benefits claimants.
Ministers announced a slew of welfare reforms back in March aimed at getting more people off sickness benefits and into work.
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Changes outlined included curbing access to the main disability benefit known as Pip - personal independence payment - and sickness-related universal credit.
But hopes of Chancellor Rachel Reeves saving around £5 billion by the end of the decade have been dashed by 126-strong army of Labour MPs voicing their opposition.
What are the Pip changes?
Welfare Secretary Liz Kendall says ANYONE currently receiving Pip will keep their benefits.
Only new claims kicking in from November NEXT year will fall under the new criteria under beefed-up eligibility requirements.
The new measures would have seen 800,000 people lose out with an average loss of £4,500 every year.
The changes would have seen a staggering 370,000 people totally lose the Pip pay-outs.
What isn't changing to Pip?
Welfare Secretary Liz Kendall says ANYONE currently receiving Pip will keep their benefits.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) said the change will also indirectly boost around 50,000 carers who look after someone on Pip, ensuring they keep their carer's allowance of around £4,340 per year.
What are the Universal Credit changes?
More than 2 million people will see themselves protected from a loss of between £250 and £500 a year.
Increases to UC will see a boost of £7 a week to £106 per week for new and existing claims from April 2026.
What isn't changing to Universal Credit?
The Cabinet Minister vowed that all those currently receiving the UC health element - and new claimants meeting the severe conditions criteria will see their incomes 'fully protected in real terms'.
But Mikey Erhardt, from Disability Rights UK, accused the Government of 'playing politics with our lives', saying the vote next Tuesday must still be pulled.
He said the changes will mean 'a benefits system where future generations of disabled people receive less support than disabled people today'.
He added that the original decision 'prioritised balancing its books over improving the lives of disabled citizens'.
Mr Erhardt added: 'Despite seemingly rowing back on some of the worst aspects of its plans, the Government is still attempting to slash billions of pounds from a system that doesn't provide enough support as it stands.'
The MS Society said Ministers were simply 'kicking the can down the road and delaying an inevitable disaster'.
They urged MPs 'not to be swayed by these last-ditch attempts to force through a harmful Bill with supposed concessions'.
Food bank network Trussell welcomed the 'significant' concessions.
But they said the proposals 'still present a bleak future for future claimants and still risk placing the Government's commitments to end the need for emergency food and tackle poverty in serious jeopardy'.
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