The welfare reform backlash is escalating as Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces a major revolt within his own party. Over 120 Labour MPs have now joined efforts to block controversial disability benefit cuts, threatening the government’s majority. Despite the growing opposition, Starmer insists he will “press ahead” with the reforms.
More than half of Labour’s backbenchers have signed an amendment to halt the proposed welfare changes. The welfare reform backlash centers on plans to tighten eligibility for Personal Independence Payments (PIPs), which could slash £5 billion from annual welfare spending by 2030. Critics argue the changes will push vulnerable claimants into poverty.
Dame Meg Hillier, who leads the rebellion, urged the government to reconsider. She warned that rushed reforms could harm disabled people while failing to address systemic issues. Meanwhile, anonymous rebel organizers claim Starmer’s recent U-turn on winter fuel cuts has emboldened MPs to resist further austerity.
Speaking before a NATO summit, Starmer stood firm. He called the current welfare system “unsustainable,” arguing it traps people in dependency. He highlighted that PIP claims are rising rapidly, with projections showing Leicester-sized cities joining the rolls yearly.
When asked if he would rely on Tory votes, Starmer dismissed the idea. He mocked Conservative confusion over their own stance. However, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch hinted her party might support the bill but only if reforms guarantee both budget cuts and higher employment.
The government plans to scrap work capability assessments by 2028. Instead, a single PIP-style test will determine eligibility for disability and sickness benefits. Claimants will need to prove greater difficulty in daily tasks like eating, dressing, or communicating.
PIP claims have surged from 2 million in 2019 to 3.7 million today. Ministers insist stricter rules will ensure only those most in need receive support. Yet the welfare reform backlash shows no sign of fading, with MPs demanding better impact assessments and consultation.
If the amendment passes, the bill could stall entirely. With Labour’s majority at risk, Starmer faces his toughest parliamentary test yet. The coming days will reveal whether the welfare reform backlashforces a compromise—or if the PM pushes through despite the uproar.
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