
Benefit cuts: Keir Starmer ready to face down rebel Labour MPs
Sir Keir Starmer was challenged by a succession of Labour MPs about contentious cuts to benefits and winter fuel payments as he came under growing pressure to change course on Monday night.
While ministers signalled a possible compromise on winter fuel payments, the prime minister stressed the need to press ahead with cuts to benefits, describing reform as a 'Labour cause'.
Liz Kendall, the work and pensions secretary, will seek to sell the 'moral mission' of welfare reform in a speech on Wednesday, as ministers insist they will not back down despite mounting unease among Labour MPs over the reforms.
• Labour rebels could force rethink on two-child cap and winter fuel
Starmer was greeted with cheers on Monday night at a meeting of Labour
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