Liz Kendall to face MPs ahead of major PIP welfare vote

Daily Mirror

15 hours ago

Welfare chief Liz Kendall is expected to face MPs today after a bruising week for the government over controversial disability welfare cuts.
In a dramatic climbdown last week after a major revolt by over 100 Labour MPs, the PM agreed to protect all existing claimants from losing Personal Independence Payments. The changes to PIP - the key disability benefit will now only apply to new claims from November 2026, at a cost of around £3billion to the government.
But disability charities have warned the new measures will create a "two-tier" system for disability benefits - and are still urging MPs to vote down the legislation at Tuesday's crunch vote.
While some Labour MPs have said they will now back the government after last week's concessions, Keir Starmer is still facing a major rebellion, with 50-60 Labour MPs still said to be considering voting against the government tomorrow. It would be the biggest revolt of Mr Starmer's premiership so far.
Disabled people could face extra costs of almost £15,000 a year by the end of the decade, grim research shows, as the row over the Government's welfare cuts drags on.
Research released by disability charity Scope has estimated the extra monthly costs related to a person's disability have now risen to £1,095. Even for those who receive benefits, there is an average shortfall of £630 every month, as the payments don't go far enough, Scope said.
The Disability Price Tag report, which is released annually by Scope and does not take into account the welfare reforms, estimates this is set to rise to £1,224 by 2029/30, totalling almost £15,000 a year. It would mean those with a disability would see a £704 shortfall in their benefits income by 2029, the study said.
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham told an event at Glastonbury Festival that MPs should still vote against the welfare bill tomorrow. 'It's simply wrong and I will never, ever support what is being proposed,' he said.
'This reminds me why I left Westminster because the default mindset of the two parties is to be tough on benefits. That mentality creates a deficit model that is distrustful of people… a system I know many disabled people fear interacting with."
Dozens of Labour MPs are still said to be on the fence about whether to support plans to reform the welfare system in a crunch vote on Tuesday.
Many MPs spent the weekend mulling over a major package of concessions offered by Keir Starmer last week. In a dramatic climbdown on Thursday, the PM agreed to protect all existing claimants from losing Personal Independence Payments (PIP).
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall is expected to deliver a Commons statement today - setting out major concessions on the welfare bill reached with rebels last week. Expect Ms Kendall to appear in the Commons after 1530 if the Speaker agrees to a government statement.
In a dramatic climbdown last week after a major revolt by over 100 Labour MPs, the PM agreed to protect all existing claimants from losing Personal Independence Payments. The changes to PIP - the key disability benefit will now only apply to new claims from November 2026, at a cost of around £3billion to the government.
Plans for a major review of PIP for new claims will also be set out today, which will be co-produced by disabled people, organisations who represent them and MPs.
It is hoped that the terms of the review - which will place disabled people at the heart of it - will persuade nervy MPs that the legislation is now heading in the right direction.