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From "The I":

Politics

MPs are demanding that changes to disability benefits due to be implemented in 2026 are delayed

Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaking during the weekly session of Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) in the House of Commons

Chloe Chaplain

Senior Political Correspondent

Sir Keir Starmer faces frontbench resignations unless his government agrees to demands from MPs to water down the disability benefit reforms.

Pressure on No10 to change course over plans to restrict benefits – including personal independence payments (PIP) – showed no sign of abating this week despite the PM’s U-turn on the winter fuel allowance.

MPs are demanding the changes to PIP, due to be implemented in 2026 if they clear a parliamentary vote next month, are delayed to allow time for more assessments and consultation.

The i Paper understands there are around five members of the frontbench, in parliamentary private secretary (PPS) roles, who have said they would be prepared to resign if the cuts are not watered down.

And there are understood to be more who are privately concerned about the measures and have not yet spoken out.

MPs are also worried over the Government’s decision to block those under the age of 22 from being able to receive incapacity benefits.

According to sources, around 110 MPs have signed a letter to the chief whip warning that they will not support the bill in its current form.

They have asked for a more thorough public consultation of the disability benefit changes and an independent assessment of the impact it would have both on individuals and public services.

This comes after a separate letter, signed by around 40 MPs, was sent to the PM.

The Government has a working majority of 165 votes, taking into consideration MPs who do not vote, and many rebels who would be inclined to abstain rather than vote against Keir Starmer.

As a result, the rebellion is not enough to guarantee the measures would be blocked but it would tight enough to put a lot of pressure on the government and poses a risk they may decide is not worth taking.

One Labour rebel told The i Paper the measures must be delayed by a year, with a package of reforms to mental health support announced before they are voted on.

Ministers have said they are “listening” to the concerns of MPs – and have not ruled out making changes.

But it is understood Government insiders believe there is little room to manoeuvre given the increase in reliance on disability benefits and the urgent need to reform the system.

Nearly 1 in 10 people of working age are now on at least one sickness or disability benefit.

The Government said the benefits bill for sickness and disability has increased by £20 billion since the pandemic and is expected to rise by a further £18bn by the end of the current Parliament without reforms.

The measures are seeking to cut welfare spending by £5bn a year and reduce the rise in the number of people relying on sickness and incapacity benefits.

PIP is not means-tested or related to a person’s work status but based on a person’s capability.

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has proposed raising the threshold for the welfare payment so only those with the most serious psychiatric or physical conditions would continue to be eligible.

The Universal Credit health element – which is for those out of work who are assessed as too sick to look for employment – will also be restricted.

Kendall doubled down on her plans to overhaul the sickness and disability benefit system in a speech earlier this week.

Speaking at a think tank event in central London, Kendall said she understood there were concerns about some of the proposals but argued they were key in the political fight against Reform UK.

The minister underlined her belief that proposals would have to go ahead, and said they were “crucial to fighting the rise in populist politics”.

She denied she was forced into the cuts due to the need to make savings.

“Whatever the fiscal position that the government faces, I think the system as a whole needs to change,” she said, adding: “I’m not doing this to be tough, I am doing this because I believe there is a better way to transform lives.”

It comes after it emerged that Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner had written to Chancellor Rachel Reeves in March urging her to consider higher wealth taxes, rather than cutting the welfare bill.

Downing Street was contacted for comment.

Rayner apparently wants a wealth tax instead of cuts

Hi jul ,

I’ve removed demented Kendall’s face but didn’t know how to put the newly cropped pic at the top 😂. Hopefully people will realise what it’s about as I wanted to let everyone know where the article came from .

where this article from squirrel ?

I’ve read a few different articles about Rayner plotting to take his place

They want to lift children out of poverty while putting disabled people into poverty. Strange.

IMO somethings happening behind the scenes as there’s talk of delaying the child poverty strategy until autumn. I have a bad feeling ( and pray I’m wrong) that they’re waiting to see the outcome of the disability vote and the backlash they receive if it goes through. If they get the cuts through will they use those savings as an excuse to scrap the 2 child limit? As I said I hope I’m wrong and just being overly suspicious

It does help us feel better if we remember that we can give them a lot of trouble at the Local Elections next year. ✊ That's what we have a democracy for, they seem to forget that our votes count and will make a lot of difference.

I'm doing quite well with the replies from my MP (a Tory) but so not to wear out my welcome I'll tackle him again after all this comes to a head next month, whether there's a vote or whether the proposals are postponed until the the OBRs impact assessment in October.

Hi 😊

Really don't worry about it. It's better that all the pages of the article are on, whether or not the photo's on it. Thanks for trying though. 👍

I'm sitting here chuckling, after reading about your efforts 😆, thanks for cheering me up!! 👌

Hi Jul ,

I think I’ve managed to remove her face though only hypothetically unfortunately 😂 . Isn’t it terrible when someone’s face has such a traumatic affect on people. And of course if they knew they wouldn’t care as those 3 are simply psychopaths.
What do you think of all this Rayner talk ? She seems to be distancing herself from the cuts and has apparently tried to get them to tax the wealthy instead of cutting benefits . Whether it’s true or not I’m going to write to her as she may be on our side . It’s worth a shot I think .