Latest news with #UniversalCreditandPIPBill
Rhyl Journal
2 days ago
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Gill German: Why MP voted for the Government welfare bill
The Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill was passed in Parliament on July 1, after MPs voted 335 to 260 to give the bill its initial approval. This came after the government offered rebel Labour MPs last-minute concessions, including announcing no change to PIP rules until it had time to consider a review's conclusions. Gill German MP was one of the 335 MPs who voted in favour of the bill, arguing that the move will help up to 3.9 million families across the UK. Ms German said the bill will help move welfare "toward a fairer system" and allow the government to "work more closely with disabled people". She added that the bill was "one of the biggest boosts to basic support in decades" and thanked constituents for expressing concern which was "real and must be taken seriously". Ms German said: "The Universal Credit and PIP Bill will raise the Universal Credit allowance to £775 by 2029/30, which will help 3.9 million families. "This above-inflation increase is one of the biggest boosts to basic support in decades and marks an important step towards ensuring families can afford essentials without relying on food banks or charities. "The Bill also ends the need for reassessment for Personal Independence Payments for those with severe, lifelong conditions and protects existing PIP claimants from any future eligibility changes. "Eligibility changes for new PIP claimants will now be considered at a later date after the PIP review, also known as the Timms Review, concludes in 2026. "Many in Clwyd North have shared their concerns with me about what changes to PIP eligibility might mean and I thank everyone who has shared their story. That concern is real and must be taken seriously. "I welcome the government's commitment to protect existing claimants, accelerate the review of PIP assessments, and working more closely with disabled people. "Alongside measures like the 'Right to Try' work without risking current entitlements, and greater investment in health and employment pathways, I believe we can move toward a fairer system, and it is for this reason that I support this Bill." The Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill had initially been proposed to potentially save up to £5billion - this now faces delay or loss entirely after amendments were made. The bill is now in the committee stage, and will have a third reading in Parliament which, if approved, will mean it will then be presented to the House of Lords.
Glasgow Times
23-06-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Labour MPs rebel against welfare cuts with bid to kill Bill
A reasoned amendment due to be published on Tuesday will seek to halt the Bill. Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle would need to select the amendment when MPs debate the legislation at its second reading. But it could pose a major challenge to the Government's plans. Dozens of MPs, including 11 select committee chairs, are understood to have backed it. The chairwoman of the Work and Pensions Committee said the aim was to persuade the Government to 'think again', while another backer urged the Government to 'go back to the drawing board'. It comes after Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall sought to talk up the changes and persuade backbench MPs at a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP). Under the proposals, ministers will limit eligibility for the personal independence payment (Pip), the main disability payment in England, and limit the sickness-related element of universal credit (UC). The amendment acknowledges the need to reform the social security system but calls to reject the Bill because of a lack of consultation with disabled people and their carers. It also makes the case that arrangements are not in place to help those affected by the changes, noting that most additional employment support funding will not be in place until the end of the decade. And it points to the fact that an analysis of the impact of the reforms on employment from the Office for Budget Responsibility will not be published until the autumn. Debbie Abrahams MP, chairwoman of the Work and Pensions Committee, said: 'We desperately want the Government to succeed in the shared goal of getting people who can work into work and supporting those who can't. 'We want the Government to listen and to think again on this Bill. 'We are being asked to vote for this Bill before disabled people have been consulted, before impact assessments have been conducted, and before we have given enough time to some of the Government's key policies – investing in the NHS, to the right to try, and to work coaching – (to) have been able to bed in.' Another MP backing the amendment said: 'The breadth of the support for this amendment, from across the PLP, shows just how concerned MPs are about the cuts to disability benefits. 'The Government needs to withdraw the Bill and go back to the drawing board.' The Government has faced a growing backlash to its planned reforms, with Labour MP Vicky Foxcroft resigning as a Government whip because of her concerns over the package. MPs continued to voice their concerns in the Commons on Monday. Next week's Universal Credit and PIP Bill will impose poverty on disabled people. It is unacceptable the government are not publishing key information on the scale of that impact. — Andy McDonald MP for Middlesbrough & Thornaby East (@AndyMcDonaldMP) June 23, 2025 Andy McDonald, who represents Middlesbrough and Thornaby East, said he and his colleagues were being asked to vote on imposing 'appalling poverty'. Ministers have previously said the reforms could save up to £5 billion a year. The Work and Pensions Secretary told the PLP that the plans are 'rooted in fairness'. Ms Kendall said: 'The path to a fairer society – one where everyone thrives, where people who can work get the support they need, and where we protect those who cannot – that is the path we seek to build with our reforms. 'Our plans are rooted in fairness – for those who need support and for taxpayers.' She argued they are about ensuring the survival of the welfare state so there is always a safety net for those in need of it. Ms Kendall added: 'But above all they are about our belief that everyone can fulfil their potential and live their hopes and dreams when, collectively, we provide them with real opportunities and support. 'This is the better future we seek to build for our constituents and our country.'
Leader Live
23-06-2025
- Health
- Leader Live
Labour MPs rebel against welfare cuts with bid to kill Bill
A reasoned amendment due to be published on Tuesday will seek to halt the Bill. Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle would need to select the amendment when MPs debate the legislation at its second reading. But it could pose a major challenge to the Government's plans. Dozens of MPs, including 11 select committee chairs, are understood to have backed it. The chairwoman of the Work and Pensions Committee said the aim was to persuade the Government to 'think again', while another backer urged the Government to 'go back to the drawing board'. It comes after Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall sought to talk up the changes and persuade backbench MPs at a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP). Under the proposals, ministers will limit eligibility for the personal independence payment (Pip), the main disability payment in England, and limit the sickness-related element of universal credit (UC). The amendment acknowledges the need to reform the social security system but calls to reject the Bill because of a lack of consultation with disabled people and their carers. It also makes the case that arrangements are not in place to help those affected by the changes, noting that most additional employment support funding will not be in place until the end of the decade. And it points to the fact that an analysis of the impact of the reforms on employment from the Office for Budget Responsibility will not be published until the autumn. Debbie Abrahams MP, chairwoman of the Work and Pensions Committee, said: 'We desperately want the Government to succeed in the shared goal of getting people who can work into work and supporting those who can't. 'We want the Government to listen and to think again on this Bill. 'We are being asked to vote for this Bill before disabled people have been consulted, before impact assessments have been conducted, and before we have given enough time to some of the Government's key policies – investing in the NHS, to the right to try, and to work coaching – (to) have been able to bed in.' Another MP backing the amendment said: 'The breadth of the support for this amendment, from across the PLP, shows just how concerned MPs are about the cuts to disability benefits. 'The Government needs to withdraw the Bill and go back to the drawing board.' The Government has faced a growing backlash to its planned reforms, with Labour MP Vicky Foxcroft resigning as a Government whip because of her concerns over the package. MPs continued to voice their concerns in the Commons on Monday. Next week's Universal Credit and PIP Bill will impose poverty on disabled people. It is unacceptable the government are not publishing key information on the scale of that impact. — Andy McDonald MP for Middlesbrough & Thornaby East (@AndyMcDonaldMP) June 23, 2025 Andy McDonald, who represents Middlesbrough and Thornaby East, said he and his colleagues were being asked to vote on imposing 'appalling poverty'. Ministers have previously said the reforms could save up to £5 billion a year. The Work and Pensions Secretary told the PLP that the plans are 'rooted in fairness'. Ms Kendall said: 'The path to a fairer society – one where everyone thrives, where people who can work get the support they need, and where we protect those who cannot – that is the path we seek to build with our reforms. 'Our plans are rooted in fairness – for those who need support and for taxpayers.' She argued they are about ensuring the survival of the welfare state so there is always a safety net for those in need of it. Ms Kendall added: 'But above all they are about our belief that everyone can fulfil their potential and live their hopes and dreams when, collectively, we provide them with real opportunities and support. 'This is the better future we seek to build for our constituents and our country.'
South Wales Guardian
23-06-2025
- Health
- South Wales Guardian
Labour MPs rebel against welfare cuts with bid to kill Bill
A reasoned amendment due to be published on Tuesday will seek to halt the Bill. Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle would need to select the amendment when MPs debate the legislation at its second reading. But it could pose a major challenge to the Government's plans. Dozens of MPs, including 11 select committee chairs, are understood to have backed it. The chairwoman of the Work and Pensions Committee said the aim was to persuade the Government to 'think again', while another backer urged the Government to 'go back to the drawing board'. It comes after Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall sought to talk up the changes and persuade backbench MPs at a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP). Under the proposals, ministers will limit eligibility for the personal independence payment (Pip), the main disability payment in England, and limit the sickness-related element of universal credit (UC). The amendment acknowledges the need to reform the social security system but calls to reject the Bill because of a lack of consultation with disabled people and their carers. It also makes the case that arrangements are not in place to help those affected by the changes, noting that most additional employment support funding will not be in place until the end of the decade. And it points to the fact that an analysis of the impact of the reforms on employment from the Office for Budget Responsibility will not be published until the autumn. Debbie Abrahams MP, chairwoman of the Work and Pensions Committee, said: 'We desperately want the Government to succeed in the shared goal of getting people who can work into work and supporting those who can't. 'We want the Government to listen and to think again on this Bill. 'We are being asked to vote for this Bill before disabled people have been consulted, before impact assessments have been conducted, and before we have given enough time to some of the Government's key policies – investing in the NHS, to the right to try, and to work coaching – (to) have been able to bed in.' Another MP backing the amendment said: 'The breadth of the support for this amendment, from across the PLP, shows just how concerned MPs are about the cuts to disability benefits. 'The Government needs to withdraw the Bill and go back to the drawing board.' The Government has faced a growing backlash to its planned reforms, with Labour MP Vicky Foxcroft resigning as a Government whip because of her concerns over the package. MPs continued to voice their concerns in the Commons on Monday. Next week's Universal Credit and PIP Bill will impose poverty on disabled people. It is unacceptable the government are not publishing key information on the scale of that impact. — Andy McDonald MP for Middlesbrough & Thornaby East (@AndyMcDonaldMP) June 23, 2025 Andy McDonald, who represents Middlesbrough and Thornaby East, said he and his colleagues were being asked to vote on imposing 'appalling poverty'. Ministers have previously said the reforms could save up to £5 billion a year. The Work and Pensions Secretary told the PLP that the plans are 'rooted in fairness'. Ms Kendall said: 'The path to a fairer society – one where everyone thrives, where people who can work get the support they need, and where we protect those who cannot – that is the path we seek to build with our reforms. 'Our plans are rooted in fairness – for those who need support and for taxpayers.' She argued they are about ensuring the survival of the welfare state so there is always a safety net for those in need of it. Ms Kendall added: 'But above all they are about our belief that everyone can fulfil their potential and live their hopes and dreams when, collectively, we provide them with real opportunities and support. 'This is the better future we seek to build for our constituents and our country.'
North Wales Chronicle
23-06-2025
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Labour MPs rebel against welfare cuts with bid to kill Bill
A reasoned amendment due to be published on Tuesday will seek to halt the Bill. Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle would need to select the amendment when MPs debate the legislation at its second reading. But it could pose a major challenge to the Government's plans. Dozens of MPs, including eleven select committee chairs, are understood to have backed it. It comes after Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall sought to talk up the changes and persuade backbench MPs at a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP). Under the proposals, ministers will limit eligibility for the personal independence payment (Pip), the main disability payment in England, and limit the sickness-related element of universal credit (UC). The amendment acknowledges the need to reform the social security system but calls to reject the Bill because of a lack of consultation with disabled people and their carers. It also makes the case that arrangements are not in place to help those affected by the changes, noting that most additional employment support funding will not be in place until the end of the decade. And it points to the fact that an analysis of the impact of the reforms on employment from the Office for Budget Responsibility will not be published until the autumn. The Government has faced a growing backlash to its planned reforms, with Labour MP Vicky Foxcroft resigning as a Government whip because of her concerns over the package. MPs continued to voice their concerns in the Commons on Monday. Next week's Universal Credit and PIP Bill will impose poverty on disabled people. It is unacceptable the government are not publishing key information on the scale of that impact. — Andy McDonald MP for Middlesbrough & Thornaby East (@AndyMcDonaldMP) June 23, 2025 Andy McDonald, who represents Middlesbrough and Thornaby East, said he and his colleagues were being asked to vote on imposing 'appalling poverty'. Ministers have previously said the reforms could save up to £5 billion a year. The Work and Pensions Secretary told the PLP that the plans are 'rooted in fairness'. Ms Kendall said: 'The path to a fairer society – one where everyone thrives, where people who can work get the support they need, and where we protect those who cannot – that is the path we seek to build with our reforms. 'Our plans are rooted in fairness – for those who need support and for taxpayers.' She argued they are about ensuring the survival of the welfare state so there is always a safety net for those in need of it. Ms Kendall added: 'But above all they are about our belief that everyone can fulfil their potential and live their hopes and dreams when, collectively, we provide them with real opportunities and support. 'This is the better future we seek to build for our constituents and our country.'
