Labour government must protect disabled people's incomes if they want second term
Labour's best hope for a second term is if the UK Government pursues popular policies that unite the country.
Progress on a number of fronts, from boosting workers' rights to securing trade deals, has been made since the general election.
But Keir Starmer's Government has also pursued a number of policies that have been divisive and created tension among Labour MPs.
Taking winter fuel payments from pensioners on low incomes – an error now corrected – was the original sin.
The £5bn cuts to disability and sickness benefits are in the same category and could seriously damage the PM.
It looks increasingly unlikely that he has the support to push through the welfare reforms and they may have to be ditched entirely.
Over 100 Labour MPs are revolting against the changes and the divisions have spread to Anas Sarwar's top team in Scottish Labour with his education spokeswoman, Pam Duncan-Glancy, against the welfare bill.
Duncan-Glancy is a permanent wheelchair user and knows more about the iniquities of the social security system than anybody at Holyrood.
The fact she has concerns, along with 12 Scots Labour MPs, should set alarm bells ringing inside Downing Street.
Voters do not like divided parties and Labour look like they cannot come to a common position on welfare.
Starmer needs a rethink and ensure savings are made from targeting people who can work, but who are currently out of the jobs market.
Protecting the incomes of disabled people must be the cornerstone of a revised welfare bill.
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Jade Stalker tipped the scales at more than 22 stone and wanted to shed the excess weight so that she wouldn't be looked upon as the 'fat mum' at the school gates.
It all seemed too good to be true when, after a trip to Turkey for gastric band surgery and the use of the weight-loss drug Mounjaro, she lost a staggering 30 inches from her waist.
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Others who used weight loss drugs have not regained their appetite and complain about being too thin.
The message is clear. Take the advice of your GP before a major weight-loss journey and consider small steps to begin with, such as a healthy and nutritious diet.
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Scotsman
27 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Welfare cuts: SNP accuse Sir Keir Starmer of creating 'two-tier disability system' with U-turn
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South Wales Guardian
35 minutes ago
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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.'
North Wales Chronicle
36 minutes ago
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Starmer makes U-turn in bid to head off Labour welfare revolt
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'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. She said: 'It's encouraging that we have reached what I believe is a workable compromise that will protect disabled people and support people back into work while ensuring the welfare system can be meaningfully reformed.' Not all the rebels have been satisfied with the changes, with several suggesting they would create a 'two-tier system' and raising questions about who would be classified as a new claimant after November 2026. Another told the PA news agency the U-turn would probably be enough to see off the rebellion, but warned that discontent and low morale among the backbenches would 'continue to fester' without a 'wider reset' of relations between Number 10 and the Parliamentary Labour Party. The concessions could also 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. Ruth Curtice, chief executive of the Resolution Foundation think tank, suggested the changes could cost as much as £3 billion and raised the prospect of further tax rises. 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.'
