Starmer says welfare reform vote will go ahead despite mounting Labour revolt
The Prime Minister said the Commons vote would go ahead on Tuesday as planned despite 120 Labour MPs publicly backing a move to block the legislation.
Sir Keir said his party was elected 'to change that which is broken' and the welfare system 'doesn't work for anyone'.
Insisting the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill would not be pulled in the face of the mounting rebellion, Sir Keir told LBC: 'There'll be a vote on Tuesday, we're going to make sure we reform the welfare system.'
The legislation plans to restrict eligibility for the personal independence payment, the main disability payment in England, and limit the sickness-related element of universal credit, with the aim of getting more people back into work and saving up to £5 billion a year.
Existing claimants will be given a 13-week phase-out period of financial support, a move seen as a bid to head off opposition.
But the fact so many Labour MPs are prepared to put their names to a 'reasoned amendment', a move which would stop the Bill in its tracks, shows how entrenched the opposition is.
Defending the plans while at the Nato summit in The Hague, Sir Keir said the current system 'traps people in a position where they can't get into work'.
'In fact, it's counterproductive, it works against them getting into work,' he said.
'So we have to reform it, and that is a Labour argument, it's a progressive argument.'
The rebels argue that disabled people have not been properly consulted about the plan and say further analysis is required before making any changes.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham added his voice to the senior figures calling on the Government to reconsider.
He told BBC Newsnight: 'When the PLP (Parliamentary Labour Party) delivers its collective wisdom in such numbers, it is invariably right. And it is right on this.
'I would say to the Government, listen to the PLP.'
His comments came after his London counterpart, Sir Sadiq Khan, said that ministers 'must urgently think again' about the plans.
Labour's First Minister of Wales Baroness Eluned Morgan has also called for a rethink of the plans.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, who has already taken steps to soften the impact of the welfare Bill, has been locked in talks with backbenchers as she seeks to win over those opposed to the measures.
Meanwhile, Kemi Badenoch said the Tories would lend the Government votes to pass the legislation but only if Labour rules out tax rises in the autumn budget as well as reducing unemployment and lowering the welfare budget.
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29 minutes ago
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Angela Rayner (left) said the Conservatives had no shame (House of Commons/UK Parliament) The Deputy Prime Minister replied: 'Well, if ever we needed a reminder of the party opposite having no shame, it's their demands for this Bill. 'He demands a programme to help people into work – exactly what this Bill does – after he left one in eight young people out of the economy.' She added: 'He demands further welfare savings, from the man who was in charge, as the welfare bill absolutely ballooned. 'They say cut welfare bill, they failed. 'They say put people in work, they failed. 'They say no tax increases, they failed.' The reforms would 'see the number of people on welfare rising for every single year going forward' with 'no commitment' to cut the number of claimants, Sir Mel warned. 'And even if they manage to deliver these reforms, almost every respected economist now says tax rises are all but inevitable in the autumn,' he continued. 'But after the budget, the Chancellor (Rachel Reeves) said, and I quote, 'I'm not coming back for more taxes'. 'British businesses have been hit again and again by Labour's economic mismanagement. 'They are desperate for certainty, so can (the Deputy Prime Minister) give them that certainty now and repeat to the House the Chancellor's promise not to raise taxes at the budget?' (PA Graphics) Ms Rayner replied that the Tories had 'no plan, no idea' and added: 'This is a bit rich – unbelievable. 'Inflation above 11%, the biggest tax rises? By their party. 'I take no lectures and on this issue in particular, they can't make their minds up. 'First they said our reforms were taking too long, then they say they were rushed, then their front bench said our measures are too tough, and now they say they need to be tougher.' 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'I'm just wondering when they're going to give the shadow justice secretary (Robert Jenrick) a go,' she added
