Stirling MP explains benefit change bill support after Westminster backlash
Stirling MP Chris Kane has defended his decision to back the UK Government's controversial benefit changes.
The Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill, which is expected to be renamed because the measures affecting PIP have been shelved, secured a majority vote in the House of Commons last week after several government climbdowns.
It sparked a backlash from a significant contingent of backbench Labour MPs - but the Stirling and Strathallan MP wasn't one of them.
He later outlined his reasoning for being among those to back the changes, saying: 'Changing the welfare system is never simple, but I believe it's necessary.
'Right now, the system isn't working as it should. It's often unfair, it's costing more than we can afford in the long run, and it too often traps people in a place where they can't move forward, when it should be helping them reach their potential.
'At the moment, people sometimes feel they have to prove they can't work just to get the support they need.
'Then, once they're out of work, there's little help to get them back in.
'That's not right - for individuals, families, or our communities.
'This Bill, debated in the House of Commons, takes some important steps to change that, especially after improvements made thanks to backbench MPs.'
Mr Kane said the 'improvements' included that the Bill as passed: creates a new 'Right to Try', so that disabled people who want to try working can do so without risking their benefits; ends repeat assessments for people with lifelong or terminal conditions, helping to reduce stress and paperwork for those who need support the most; adjusts part of Universal Credit for new claims, while protecting people already receiving it, so the system remains fair and focused; and increases the main part of Universal Credit above inflation — the first real rise like this in decades.
Mr Kane said that, when the Bill was first published, he had concerns - especially about the proposed changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
'Many others felt the same,' he added. 'I raised those concerns, and I'm glad the Government listened.
'Ministers have now confirmed that no changes to PIP will happen until a full review has reported back in 2026.
'While Universal Credit is a UK-wide scheme, responsibility for a number of benefits, including for disabilities and carers, are devolved here in Scotland.
'As such on disability welfare, the vast majority of Personal Independence Payments (PIP) in Scotland have been, or are in the process of being, replaced by Adult Disability Payments (ADP).'
He admitted that the way the UK Government had handled the process around the Bill 'wasn't good enough'.
'It felt rushed, and some key details came out late, which made it harder for MPs and the public to understand and respond properly,' said Mr Kane. 'That's not how things should be done.
'But I welcome that ministers did listen, made some important changes, and paused parts of the Bill to allow more time for review.
'We need a welfare system that protects people when they need help and gives real support to those who can and want to work. We need a system that's fair for everyone and sustainable for the future.
'With the changes that have been made, I believe this Bill helps us move in that direction.
'You can be assured that I will be highlighting the many points raised with me by constituents to both Ministers and colleagues directly involved in the Committee scrutiny of the legislation.'
Clackmannanshire and Dunblane MSP Keith Brown (SNP), however, expressed 'anger and dismay'.
He said: 'My constituents are being let down by those they sent to the UK Parliament to represent them.
'To say the goings on in Westminster over the proposed welfare reforms were a chaotic mess would be an understatement.
'At the end of the day, the approach now being taken by the UK Government risks creating a deeply unfair two-tier system, pushing the impact of cuts onto future applicants for disability benefits.
'They need to stop balancing the books of broken Britain on the backs of some of the most vulnerable people in society.
'Let's be clear, Labour's cuts to disability payments have only been delayed, not ditched.
'Those Labour MPs who voted for the UK Government's motion – including two out of the three who represent my constituents in that place - should hang their heads in shame.
'And don't let them try and sugarcoat the bitter pill of what they have done by claiming they stopped it from being worse.
'You don't get off the hook by 'only' driving fewer disabled people into poverty.
'There is no get out of jail free card, either, for those who opposed Keith Starmer on this issue but continue to back a failed Government who are a disgrace to the proud roots of the Labour movement.
'Resignation of the Labour Whip would be the only honourable option.
'The SNP Scottish Government will continue to do everything it can to take Scotland along a different path and there will be no changes to the Adult Disability Payment which is administered through Social Security Scotland.'
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