Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has faced repeated questions from Labour MPs over the rollout of changes to the benefit system, as the government attempts to defuse a backbench rebellion. As part of a U-turn last week, the governmentsaidstricter eligibility criteria for getting the personal independence payment (Pip) would only apply to those claiming after November 2026, rather than existing claimants. It also promised a review into the assessment process in partnership with disability organisations, due to be completed in autumn 2026. But many Labour backbenchers questioned the rationale for making changes to the qualifying criteria before the review was finished. Kendall said any recommendations from the review - to be led by disability minister Sir Stephen Timms - would be implemented "as soon as possible" following its completion. She added that the Timms review would not be "driven by an objective of making savings" adding: "It's about making sure that this really vital benefit is fair and fit for the future." Pip assessments involve questions about tasks like preparing and eating food, washing and getting dressed. Each is scored from zero - for no difficulty, to 12 - for the most severe. Under the government's proposed system, new claimants would have to score at least four points for one activity to qualify for the benefit, instead of qualifying for support across a broad range of tasks. Debbie Abrahams, chair of the work and pensions committee, said: "If this is being truly co-produced with disabled people in their organisations, the review should determine both the new process, the new points and the new descriptors, and we shouldn't predetermine it at four points." Dame Meg Hillier - chair of the Treasury Committee - asked Kendall for "the rationale for settling on those four points in one category prior to the Timms review". Another Labour MP, Sarah Owens, asked: "What is the logic of making changes to future claimants before producing the Timms review?" The government was forced into a climbdown after more than 120 Labour MPs - including Dame Meg and Abrahams - threatened to block the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payments Bill. Ministers had hoped concessions made last week had reassured MPs, although around 50 Labour MPs are still expected to oppose the bill. Speaking in Parliament, Kendall said she had "listened carefully" and was "making positive changes as a result". As a result of changes to the bill, no existing claimant would be pushed into poverty, she said. She also defended the need for the bill telling MPs that the government had inherited a system that was "failing on all fronts". "The welfare state must be fair, both for those who need support and for taxpayers, so it is sustainable for generations to come." The government had initially estimated its plans would save around £5bn by 2030 from the growing welfare bill. During the statement Kendall confirmed the government's concessions would cost £2.5bn by 2030. Conservative shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately said the government had produced a "rushed and chaotic compromise" which would save £2.5bn from a £100bn bill. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, later confirmed her party would be voting against the bill, arguing it did not offer "serious welfare reform". Liberal Democrat spokesman Steve Darling said the legislation was rushed and warned it would lead to "unintended consequences". Some MPs raised concern that a "two-tier" system would be created if the government restricted eligibility for new claimants. Kendall defended the move arguing that the benefits system "often protects existing claimants from new rates or new rules, because lives have been built around that support, and it's often very hard for people to adjust". Earlier in the day the government produced new modelling estimating that around 150,000 people would be pushed into poverty by 2030 as a result of the welfare cuts - lower than the 250,000 predicted before the government's U-turn. A Downing Street spokesman said the modelling "doesn't reflect the full picture" and was "subject to uncertainty".
Labour MPs press Kendall on rollout of benefit changes
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"Labour MPs Challenge Kendall on Benefit System Changes and Review Process"
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TruthLens AI Summary
Liz Kendall, the Work and Pensions Secretary, is facing scrutiny from Labour MPs regarding the government's recent changes to the benefit system. This follows a significant U-turn in government policy where stricter eligibility criteria for the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will only impact new claimants after November 2026, leaving current recipients unaffected. The government has promised a review of the assessment process, which will be conducted in collaboration with disability organizations and is expected to conclude in autumn 2026. Despite these assurances, many Labour backbenchers expressed concerns about implementing changes to the qualifying criteria without awaiting the results of the review. Kendall maintained that the review, led by disability minister Sir Stephen Timms, would be focused on fairness and not driven by cost-saving measures. The PIP assessments, which evaluate individuals based on various daily living tasks, will see new claimants required to achieve a minimum score of four points in one activity to qualify for benefits, a change from the previous broader criteria.
Several Labour MPs, including Debbie Abrahams and Dame Meg Hillier, have voiced their opposition to the government's approach, questioning the rationale behind setting the four-point threshold prior to the review's completion. They argue that the review should determine the new criteria without preemptively establishing points. The government’s concessions were made in response to over 120 Labour MPs threatening to oppose the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payments Bill, although dissent remains within the party. Kendall emphasized that no existing claimants would face poverty as a result of the changes and defended the necessity of reforming a welfare system she described as failing. The government initially projected a £5 billion saving by 2030, but after concessions, this figure has been adjusted to £2.5 billion. Opposition voices, including Conservative and Liberal Democrat representatives, criticized the proposed changes as hurried and potentially harmful, warning of unintended consequences and the risk of creating a two-tier system for claimants. The government has also suggested that its new modelling indicates fewer people would be pushed into poverty than initially feared, although this assessment has been met with skepticism from critics.
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