Taxpayers will be left counting the cost for years to come if Labour rebels block welfare cuts
Taking the PIP
FOR those Labour MPs excitedly plotting against the PM while virtue-signalling about the cruelty of cutting benefits, we have a reality check.
According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies, the welfare Bill would actually RISE by a further £8billion even if the changes were fully implemented.
Spending on health-related benefits would reach a whopping £61billion by the end of the decade.
That's up by £25billion on the figure in 2019-20, before Covid.
If Labour rebels block the changes, this figure balloons to £66billion.
It now looks inevitable Starmer will be forced to retreat, having abandoned his pledge to stand firm and instead offering 'conversations' with the rebels.
Labour MPs might well feel better and pat themselves on the back on Twitter for being 'progressive' — once again the buzzword of the Left.
But taxpayers will be left counting the cost for years to come.
The PM, meanwhile, stands seriously weakened less than a year after winning a landslide.
What a self-inflicted disaster.
Angela Rayner says lifting 2-child benefit cap not 'silver bullet' for ending poverty after demanding cuts for millions
Red-handed
DO as I say, not as I do.
They should carve that mantra in stone above the entrance to the Department of Energy.
Ed Miliband loves telling ordinary folk to make expensive sacrifices to save the planet.
Yet it's somehow no surprise that His Greenness flew at least one Net Zero official on a 10,000-mile round-trip to Brazil on a pointless mission to check whether hotels they considered booking for him and his team were suitable.
Apparently we must all ditch the gas boilers that keep us warm.
But pumping out tonnes of CO2 is completely fine if it's in pursuit of a perfect hotel suite for the minister.
Miliband's hypocrisy will probably go down badly with the Climate Change Committee quango.
It says his failure to lift expensive green levies from electricity bills means punters aren't buying enough electric cars or heat pumps.
It seems even his eco warrior mates don't think he's up to the job.
No to Nanny
BRITS generally hate being told what to do — especially when it makes no sense.
So why don't the busybodies presiding over our increasingly nanny state just leave us alone?
Since when was having a pint or a flutter such a danger to society?
Why must we constantly be told to watch where we're going, hold the handrail, mind our heads and our words — even our thoughts?
No one asked for any of this.
Nanny doesn't know best. We do.
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South Wales Argus
19 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
Starmer makes U-turn in bid to head off Labour welfare revolt
In a late-night climbdown, the Government offered Labour rebels a series of concessions in an effort to head off Sir Keir's first major Commons defeat since coming to power. Some 126 Labour backbenchers had signed an amendment that would halt the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill in its tracks when it faces its first Commons hurdle on July 1. Rebels now believe the concessions on offer, which include protecting personal independence payments (Pip) for all existing claimants, will be enough to win over a majority. Asked on Friday morning whether the Government now expected the Bill to pass, health minister Stephen Kinnock told Times Radio: 'Yes.' The Government's original package had restricted eligibility for Pip, the main disability payment in England, and cut the health-related element of Universal Credit, saying this would save around £5 billion a year by 2030. Now, the changes to Pip eligibility will be implemented in November 2026 and apply to new claimants only while all existing recipients of the health element of Universal Credit will have their incomes protected in real terms. The changes represent a major climbdown for the Prime Minister, just days after he insisted to reporters he would 'press on' with the cuts, arguing there was a 'moral case' for them. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall confirmed the U-turn in a letter to MPs late on Thursday night, along with plans for a review of the Pip assessment to be led by disabilities minister Sir Stephen Timms and 'co-produced' with disabled people. A Number 10 spokesperson said: 'We have listened to MPs who support the principle of reform but are worried about the pace of change for those already supported by the system. 'This package will preserve the social security system for those who need it by putting it on a sustainable footing, provide dignity for those unable to work, supports those who can and reduce anxiety for those currently in the system.' Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall confirmed the U-turn in a letter to MPs late on Thursday night (Ben Whitley/PA) Dame Meg Hillier, one of the leading rebel voices, described the concessions as 'a good deal' involving 'massive changes' to protect vulnerable people and involve disability people in the design of future reforms. The concessions could leave Chancellor Rachel Reeves scrambling to fill a hole in her budget come the autumn, with the Institute for Fiscal Studies suggesting they could reduce the projected savings by at least £1.5 billion per year. On Friday morning, Mr Kinnock declined to be drawn on how that reduction would be covered, saying it was 'very much the Chancellor's job as we move into the budget in the autumn'. He also declined to comment on whether it was fair that two people with the same condition would receive different amounts of money depending on when they started their claim. Mr Kinnock told Times Radio there were 'many different individual circumstances' and it was 'not possible to generalise'. There was a mixed reaction among charities to the prospect of concessions. Learning disability charity Mencap said the news would be a 'huge relief to thousands of people living in fear of what the future holds'. Director of strategy Jackie O'Sullivan said: 'It is the right thing to do and sends a clear message – cutting disability benefits is not a fair way to mend the black hole in the public purse.' The MS Society urged rebels to hold firm and block the Bill, insisting any Government offer to water down the reforms would amount to 'kicking the can down the road and delaying an inevitable disaster'. Charlotte Gill, head of campaigns at the charity, said: 'We urge MPs not to be swayed by these last-ditch attempts to force through a harmful Bill with supposed concessions. 'The only way to avoid a catastrophe today and in the future is to stop the cuts altogether by halting the Bill in its tracks.' The Tories described concessions as 'the latest in a growing list of screeching U-turns' from the Government. Shadow chancellor Mel Stride said: 'Under pressure from his own MPs, Starmer has made another completely unfunded spending commitment. 'Labour's welfare chaos will cost hardworking taxpayers. We can't afford Labour.'
Rhyl Journal
19 minutes ago
- Rhyl Journal
Starmer makes U-turn in bid to head off Labour welfare revolt
In a late-night climbdown, the Government offered Labour rebels a series of concessions in an effort to head off Sir Keir's first major Commons defeat since coming to power. Some 126 Labour backbenchers had signed an amendment that would halt the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill in its tracks when it faces its first Commons hurdle on July 1. Rebels now believe the concessions on offer, which include protecting personal independence payments (Pip) for all existing claimants, will be enough to win over a majority. Asked on Friday morning whether the Government now expected the Bill to pass, health minister Stephen Kinnock told Times Radio: 'Yes.' The Government's original package had restricted eligibility for Pip, the main disability payment in England, and cut the health-related element of Universal Credit, saying this would save around £5 billion a year by 2030. Now, the changes to Pip eligibility will be implemented in November 2026 and apply to new claimants only while all existing recipients of the health element of Universal Credit will have their incomes protected in real terms. The changes represent a major climbdown for the Prime Minister, just days after he insisted to reporters he would 'press on' with the cuts, arguing there was a 'moral case' for them. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall confirmed the U-turn in a letter to MPs late on Thursday night, along with plans for a review of the Pip assessment to be led by disabilities minister Sir Stephen Timms and 'co-produced' with disabled people. A Number 10 spokesperson said: 'We have listened to MPs who support the principle of reform but are worried about the pace of change for those already supported by the system. 'This package will preserve the social security system for those who need it by putting it on a sustainable footing, provide dignity for those unable to work, supports those who can and reduce anxiety for those currently in the system.' Dame Meg Hillier, one of the leading rebel voices, described the concessions as 'a good deal' involving 'massive changes' to protect vulnerable people and involve disability people in the design of future reforms. The concessions could leave Chancellor Rachel Reeves scrambling to fill a hole in her budget come the autumn, with the Institute for Fiscal Studies suggesting they could reduce the projected savings by at least £1.5 billion per year. On Friday morning, Mr Kinnock declined to be drawn on how that reduction would be covered, saying it was 'very much the Chancellor's job as we move into the budget in the autumn'. He also declined to comment on whether it was fair that two people with the same condition would receive different amounts of money depending on when they started their claim. Mr Kinnock told Times Radio there were 'many different individual circumstances' and it was 'not possible to generalise'. There was a mixed reaction among charities to the prospect of concessions. Learning disability charity Mencap said the news would be a 'huge relief to thousands of people living in fear of what the future holds'. Director of strategy Jackie O'Sullivan said: 'It is the right thing to do and sends a clear message – cutting disability benefits is not a fair way to mend the black hole in the public purse.' The MS Society urged rebels to hold firm and block the Bill, insisting any Government offer to water down the reforms would amount to 'kicking the can down the road and delaying an inevitable disaster'. Charlotte Gill, head of campaigns at the charity, said: 'We urge MPs not to be swayed by these last-ditch attempts to force through a harmful Bill with supposed concessions. 'The only way to avoid a catastrophe today and in the future is to stop the cuts altogether by halting the Bill in its tracks.' The Tories described concessions as 'the latest in a growing list of screeching U-turns' from the Government. Shadow chancellor Mel Stride said: 'Under pressure from his own MPs, Starmer has made another completely unfunded spending commitment. 'Labour's welfare chaos will cost hardworking taxpayers. We can't afford Labour.'
Western Telegraph
21 minutes ago
- Western Telegraph
Starmer makes U-turn in bid to head off Labour welfare revolt
In a late-night climbdown, the Government offered Labour rebels a series of concessions in an effort to head off Sir Keir's first major Commons defeat since coming to power. Some 126 Labour backbenchers had signed an amendment that would halt the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill in its tracks when it faces its first Commons hurdle on July 1. Rebels now believe the concessions on offer, which include protecting personal independence payments (Pip) for all existing claimants, will be enough to win over a majority. Asked on Friday morning whether the Government now expected the Bill to pass, health minister Stephen Kinnock told Times Radio: 'Yes.' The Government's original package had restricted eligibility for Pip, the main disability payment in England, and cut the health-related element of Universal Credit, saying this would save around £5 billion a year by 2030. Now, the changes to Pip eligibility will be implemented in November 2026 and apply to new claimants only while all existing recipients of the health element of Universal Credit will have their incomes protected in real terms. The changes represent a major climbdown for the Prime Minister, just days after he insisted to reporters he would 'press on' with the cuts, arguing there was a 'moral case' for them. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall confirmed the U-turn in a letter to MPs late on Thursday night, along with plans for a review of the Pip assessment to be led by disabilities minister Sir Stephen Timms and 'co-produced' with disabled people. A Number 10 spokesperson said: 'We have listened to MPs who support the principle of reform but are worried about the pace of change for those already supported by the system. 'This package will preserve the social security system for those who need it by putting it on a sustainable footing, provide dignity for those unable to work, supports those who can and reduce anxiety for those currently in the system.' Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall confirmed the U-turn in a letter to MPs late on Thursday night (Ben Whitley/PA) Dame Meg Hillier, one of the leading rebel voices, described the concessions as 'a good deal' involving 'massive changes' to protect vulnerable people and involve disability people in the design of future reforms. The concessions could leave Chancellor Rachel Reeves scrambling to fill a hole in her budget come the autumn, with the Institute for Fiscal Studies suggesting they could reduce the projected savings by at least £1.5 billion per year. On Friday morning, Mr Kinnock declined to be drawn on how that reduction would be covered, saying it was 'very much the Chancellor's job as we move into the budget in the autumn'. He also declined to comment on whether it was fair that two people with the same condition would receive different amounts of money depending on when they started their claim. Mr Kinnock told Times Radio there were 'many different individual circumstances' and it was 'not possible to generalise'. There was a mixed reaction among charities to the prospect of concessions. Learning disability charity Mencap said the news would be a 'huge relief to thousands of people living in fear of what the future holds'. Director of strategy Jackie O'Sullivan said: 'It is the right thing to do and sends a clear message – cutting disability benefits is not a fair way to mend the black hole in the public purse.' The MS Society urged rebels to hold firm and block the Bill, insisting any Government offer to water down the reforms would amount to 'kicking the can down the road and delaying an inevitable disaster'. Charlotte Gill, head of campaigns at the charity, said: 'We urge MPs not to be swayed by these last-ditch attempts to force through a harmful Bill with supposed concessions. 'The only way to avoid a catastrophe today and in the future is to stop the cuts altogether by halting the Bill in its tracks.' The Tories described concessions as 'the latest in a growing list of screeching U-turns' from the Government. Shadow chancellor Mel Stride said: 'Under pressure from his own MPs, Starmer has made another completely unfunded spending commitment. 'Labour's welfare chaos will cost hardworking taxpayers. We can't afford Labour.'
