Watch live: Starmer addresses business leaders amid welfare rebellion
Sir Keir Starmer admitted he has 'asked a lot' of businesses in an address to British bosses as he faced a rebellion from his own MPs over his flagship welfare reforms.
He told the British Chambers of Commerce Global Annual Conference in London that firms were responsible for 'creating the jobs, the wealth, the tax receipts that means that we have the opportunity to change our country for the better'.
The Prime Minister said: 'I fully acknowledge, and I do acknowledge here, that this year, as we've had to fix the foundations of our country, deal with the unprecedented mess that we inherited, we have asked a lot of you.
'I understand that and I want to acknowledge that.'
It comes as ministers discuss the prospect of further concessions to win over a growing list of Labour MPs poised to rebel against planned welfare reforms ahead of a crunch vote next week.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said talks between backbenchers and Government were 'ongoing' on Wednesday night as Downing Street seeks to head off what would be Sir Keir Starmer's first Commons defeat.
It came as six more Labour MPs added their names to an amendment that would halt the legislation in its tracks, arguing disabled people have not been properly consulted and further scrutiny of the changes is needed.
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