Labour welfare rebels will attempt to halt the progress of welfare cuts by tabling a so-called wrecking amendment reportedly backed by 70 MPs and several senior figures.
A rebel told The i Paper a “reasoned amendment” to the changes was “planned and backed” as the Mirror reported the move had the support of dozens of MPs, including 10 select committee chairs.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall on Monday made her latest attempt to try and dampen Labour disquiet over the plans to save £5bn by cutting personal independence payments (PIP) for disabled people, and universal credit for those off work with sickness.
But the MP said they were “not seeing people convinced” with Kendall’s arguments that the reforms were part of helping people back into work, adding that ministers in her department seemed most concerned about saving money as Chancellor Rachel Reeves tries to balance the book.
“The focus needs to be on the Treasury,” the MP said, in a sign that rebels would push Reeves to find alternative ways of raising the cash, likely to include tax rises for the wealthy.
The 70 rebel MPs to sign the amendment to the Bill, to be debated on 1 July, are some way below the up to 170 some were predicting could form part of the revolt.
However, more could choose to rebel at later stages of the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill’s passage through the Commons, in order to try and amend specific parts of the legislation.
There is also a risk to the Government of further frontbench resignations after Vicky Foxcroft resigned as a whip over the proposed cuts last week.
Allies of Kendall conceded that at the meeting of the parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) she addressed on Monday night, it was clear several MPs were “uncomfortable with certain elements” of the laws, including the tightening of the points-based eligibility criteria for PIP.
But they said that only one MP openly said they would not support the reforms and that the atmosphere was more collegiate than may have been expected given the level of concern.
Kendall attempted to reassure MPs that the Government was spending money this year and next year to help people on welfare into work amid calls to ensure plans to accelerate investment in housing, defence and transport would mean the creation of jobs for current claimants.
It is understood the Work and Pensions Secretary suggested to the PLP meeting that the reforms were crucial or the welfare system would become unaffordable as a whole.
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She said: “There is no route to social justice based on greater benefit spending alone.
“The path to 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. They are about ensuring the welfare state survives, so there is always a safety net for those who need it.
“They’re about putting proper safeguards in place to protect the most vulnerable. 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.”
Earlier in the Commons, rebels said the cuts would lead to “appalling poverty”.
Labour MP Andy McDonald asked for further evidence on how many people will lose out on PIP as a result of the Bill.
Richard Burgon claimed anyone supporting the reforms was voting to take away benefits from disabled people who need help “to cut up their food, wash themselves and go to the toilet”.
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