Government in talks with Labour MPs on welfare reforms, No 10 says

The government is in talks with Labour MPs about possible changes to its welfare policies, Downing Street has confirmed. In a notable softening of tone, No 10 said that they "want" to go ahead with a scheduled vote on Tuesday, and admitted that getting the policy right was not easy. It follows more than 120 Labour backbenchers signing an amendment calling for the proposals, aimed at reforming the welfare system, to be scrapped. A No 10 source told the BBC: "Delivering fundamental change is not easy, and we all want to get it right, so of course we're talking to colleagues about the bill and the changes it will bring. We want to start delivering this together on Tuesday." The source added: "The broken welfare system is failing the most vulnerable and holding too many people back. It's fair and responsible to fix it. There is broad consensus across the party on this." The chancellor, Rachel Reeves, is understood to be involved in the discussions with rebels too. The government's Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill changeswho would qualify for certain disability and sickness benefits. Ministers have said the bill, which aims to save £5bn a year by 2030, is crucial to slow down the increase in the number of people claiming benefits. However, some Labour MPs have criticised the proposals - arguing there has not been sufficient assessments of the impact of the measures. Trade minister Douglas Alexander told the BBC he thought there was "common ground" between the government and the rebels. "My sense is overwhelmingly Labour MPs want to get this legislation right," he added. "If there are improvements that can be made, let's have the conversation". Six further Labour MPs backed the amendment overnight, bringing the total to 126 - around half those Labour MPs who do not hold a government role. Later, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch is expected to call for a "fundamental rethink" of the welfare state in a speech to the British Chambers of Commerce. She is expected to say "Britain needs real welfare reform if we're to incentivise takers to become makers". "I was shocked to hear that the majority of new disability claims in this country are now for behavioural and mental health conditions like anxiety," she is expected to add. "Under my leadership, the Conservative Party will not shy away from confronting the tough questions that need answering and, more importantly, providing the solutions." Sir Keir Starmer said on Wednesday the party was "pretty united" when it came to the notion of reforming the welfare system. However, rumbles of criticism began after the government's own assessment into the planned changes, published in March, found they could push 250,000 people into relative poverty. The prime minister said changes to welfare would be "tough going" but added that "the important thing is to focus on the change that we want to bring about". He said: "Are there plenty of people and noises off? Yes of course - there always are, there always have been, there always will be." Commons leader Lucy Powell has confirmed the initial vote on the welfare bill is still scheduled for Tuesday next week, with all its further stages in the Commons scheduled for Wednesday the following week. In May,Sir Keir announced plans to ease cuts on winter fuel paymentsfollowing a backlash against moves that saw the pension top-up becoming means-tested. Sign up for our Politics Essential newsletterto keep up with the inner workings of Westminster and beyond.