Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has said a vote on the government's welfare bill will go ahead on Tuesday, despite a huge number of Labour MPs opposing the measures. More than 130 MPs, including 120 Labour backbenchers, have signed an amendment calling for the proposals to be scrapped, making an embarrassing defeat for the government possible. Senior ministers, including the chancellor and health secretary, have been ringing round MPs trying to persuade them to drop their opposition. Speaking in the Commons, shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride asked Rayner if she could defend the bill and explain why she thought so many of her own colleagues were "wrong". Rayner replied that the bill would help people into work, and end eligibility reassessments for the severely disabled. "We won't walk way and stand by and abandon millions of people trapped in a failing system left behind by him and his colleagues," she said. She accused the Conservatives of having "no plans and no idea" on welfare policy. Speaking after Prime Minister's Questions, a Downing Street spokesperson said Sir Keir recognised the strength of feeling but said leaving millions of people in a failing system was "not the moral or progressive thing to do". The government'sUniversal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Billchanges who would qualify for certain disability and sickness benefits. Ministers have said the bill is crucial to slow down the increase in the number of people claiming benefits. However, Labour critics of the bill have argued there has not been sufficient assessments of the impact of the measures, which they say will push large numbers into poverty. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has said her party could be prepared to back the bill providing the government can guarantee it would reduce the welfare budget and get more people into work, without raising taxes - a list of conditions which the government would be unlikely to accede to. The bill was raised at Prime Minister's Question where - because the prime minister is at the Nato summit in the Netherlands - Rayner and Sir Mel were standing in for their respective leaders. Given the level of opposition to the bill from the Labour ranks, there has been speculation the government will be forced to pull the vote in order to avoid a defeat. Asked by Sir Mel if this was the case, Rayner replied unequivocally: "We will go ahead on Tuesday." Stride said Labour backbenchers had "heard that before" with the winter fuel payment, making reference to thegovernment's U-turn last month. He then repeated his leader's offer to the government to back their bill and save them from defeat, as long as ministers could commit to reducing the overall welfare bill. Rayner responded with an attack on Sir Mel, who served as work and pensions secretary in the previous Conservative government. "He demands a programme to help people into work - exactly what this bill does - after he left one in eight young people out of the economy. "He demands further welfare savings, from the man who was in charge, as the welfare bill absolutely ballooned. They say cut welfare bill - they failed." Sir Mel said the government's bill would fail to stop the number of claimants from rising and that tax rises in the autumn were "inevitable". He asked Rayner if she could rule out tax increases. She said the criticism was "a bit rich" coming from a party that had introduced "the biggest tax rises". Rayner is the latest in a series of ministers insisting that they will push ahead with the welfare changes. However, as it stands, the numbers look difficult for the government and over the last few days senior ministers have been ringing round Labour MPs convincing them to back the bill. So far, only one Labour MP, Samantha Niblett, has taken her name off the list of MPs supporting the amendment. At PMQs, Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper asked Rayner for a guarantee that "not a single person would lose a penny" untilthe review into Carer's Allowance overpaymenthad been completed and the recommendations implemented. The review was announced after more than 134,000 carers were forced to pay back thousands of pounds in over payments. Rayner said the government was "taking steps" on the issue.
Welfare vote will go ahead says Rayner, despite rebellion
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"Angela Rayner Confirms Welfare Bill Vote Will Proceed Amid Labour Opposition"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner confirmed that a vote on the government's welfare bill will proceed as scheduled on Tuesday, despite significant opposition from Labour MPs. Over 130 MPs, including 120 Labour backbenchers, have signed an amendment calling for the bill's withdrawal, which could lead to a considerable defeat for the government. Senior ministers, including the chancellor and health secretary, have been actively attempting to persuade their colleagues to withdraw their opposition to the bill. During a session in the Commons, shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride challenged Rayner, questioning her ability to defend the bill while so many of her colleagues disagreed with its provisions. In her defense, Rayner argued that the bill aims to facilitate employment for individuals while also eliminating the need for reassessments of eligibility for severely disabled individuals. She criticized the Conservative Party for lacking a coherent welfare policy, stating that the government cannot allow millions to remain trapped in a failing system inherited from previous administrations.
The welfare bill, which encompasses changes to eligibility for Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payments, has been described by ministers as vital for curbing the rising number of welfare claimants. However, Labour critics assert that the government has not adequately assessed the potential negative impacts of the proposed changes, which could exacerbate poverty levels among vulnerable populations. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch indicated her party might support the bill if the government could assure that it would effectively reduce welfare expenditures and increase employment rates without imposing new taxes. Amidst the growing dissent within Labour ranks, speculation arose regarding the possibility of the government retracting the vote to avoid a humiliating defeat. Nevertheless, Rayner firmly stated that the vote would take place as planned. The ongoing debate also included concerns raised by Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper regarding the financial security of individuals affected by Carer's Allowance overpayments, which prompted Rayner to assure that the government is taking steps to address the situation. The dynamics surrounding the welfare bill highlight the contentious nature of welfare policies and the challenges the government faces in securing support for its legislative agenda.
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