The government has won a vote on its benefits bill by 75 votes, but only after offering huge last-minute concessions to Labour rebels. The government had already watered down its plans once by reversing cuts to universal credit and protecting current claimants of personal independence payment (Pip) from stricter eligibility rules. However, some Labour MPs were still concerned the new criteria for claiming Pip would come into force before the recommendations of a review could be implemented. Fearing a humiliating defeat in Parliament, the government announced another U-turn, telling MPs it would not change Pip rules until it had time to consider the review's conclusions. The eleventh-hour changes leave the government'sUniversal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Billgutted of its most significant measures. It also puts pressure on the Treasury's spending plans, as potential savings of around £5bn will now be delayed or lost entirely. Speaking after the vote, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said: "I wish we had got to this point in a different way." She said there were "lessons to learn from the process" but defended the bill arguing it put in place "really important reforms" to help those who can, back into work. Following a tumultuous few hours in Parliament, MPs voted by 335 votes to 260 to give the bill their initial approval. The result saw the government's working majority cut from 165 to 75. MPs will continue to scrutinise the bill when it returns to the House of Commons on Wednesday 9 July. Minister had hoped changes made last week had convinced wavering rebels to back the bill, but during the debate many still expressed concerns. Less than two hours before the final vote, disability minister Sir Stephen Timms told MPs the government was making further compromises, by removing sections of the bill which would have introduced new Pip eligibility rules. "We will move straight on to the wider review and only make changes to Pip eligibility activity and descriptors following that review," he told MPs. Several MPs expressed frustration at the last-minute changes. Labour MP Paula Barker said: "Whilst grateful for the concessions, this has further laid bare the incoherent and shambolic nature of this process - it is the most unedifying spectacle that I have ever seen." Labour's Mary Kelly Foy told MPs: "I popped out for a banana earlier on and, when I came back in, things had changed again. So I'm even more unclear on what I'm voting on."
Government makes big concessions to win welfare vote
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"Government Secures Vote on Benefits Bill After Major Concessions"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
The government achieved a significant victory in Parliament, winning a vote on its benefits bill by a margin of 75 votes. This success was only made possible through substantial last-minute concessions aimed at appeasing Labour rebels who were concerned about the implications of the proposed changes. Initially, the government had already softened its stance by reversing cuts to universal credit and ensuring that current claimants of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) would not be subjected to stricter eligibility criteria. Despite these adjustments, some Labour MPs remained apprehensive, particularly about the timing of new PIP criteria, which they feared would be enacted before a thorough review could be completed. In a bid to avert a potentially embarrassing defeat, the government announced yet another reversal, promising that no changes to PIP rules would occur until the review's recommendations had been fully considered. Consequently, the bill emerged significantly diluted, with many of its core components removed, posing challenges for the Treasury's budgetary plans as potential savings of approximately £5 billion faced delays or elimination altogether.
Following the tumultuous session in Parliament, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall addressed the outcome, expressing a desire for a more straightforward process and acknowledging that lessons could be learned from the experience. Nonetheless, she defended the bill, asserting that it introduced crucial reforms intended to assist individuals in returning to work. The vote concluded with a tally of 335 in favor versus 260 against, leading to a reduction of the government's working majority from 165 to 75. MPs are scheduled to continue their examination of the bill when it reconvenes in the House of Commons on July 9. During the debate, many representatives voiced their frustration over the abrupt changes, with Labour MP Paula Barker characterizing the situation as chaotic and unprofessional. Other MPs, like Mary Kelly Foy, highlighted the confusion surrounding the evolving nature of the bill, indicating that the rapid alterations left them uncertain about the specifics of their votes.
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