US EditionWhat are the concessions to the welfare bill - and will MPs back it?
UNITED KINGDOM, JUN 27 – The Labour Government paused planned PIP eligibility changes for current claimants after internal opposition, protecting existing recipients while future claimants face stricter rules from November 2026.
- The UK government announced major concessions to its welfare reform bill on Friday, ahead of a crucial vote scheduled for Tuesday.
- The concessions followed pressure from over 120 Labour MPs threatening to rebel, demanding changes to protect current personal independence payment claimants.
- The revised bill protects existing PIP recipients and universal credit health element claimants but maintains stricter assessments for new applicants, prompting concerns about creating a two-tier system.
- Since the pandemic, PIP awards have more than doubled from 13,000 to 34,000 per month, with around 3.7 million claimants in England and Wales in April 2025.
- Despite concessions, critics warn the cuts will push disabled people into poverty and urge delaying or withdrawing the bill amid worries about the long-term impact on future claimants.
17 Articles
17 Articles
Four things to know about Starmer's welfare U-turn in four minutes
Sir Keir Starmer has said “everyone agrees” the welfare system needs to be fixed but that Labour will not “take away the safety net” that vulnerable people rely on after a major U-turn on benefit reforms.This came after the Prime Minister was forced to water down the welfare reform bill amid the prospect of a Labour rebellion.Here The i Paper looks at four things to know about the concessions the Prime Minister has made to head off a major Labou…
Starmer defends welfare reform U-turn as ‘common sense’
Sir Keir Starmer has defended his U-turn on welfare cuts as “common sense”, claiming that after 24 hours of talks with leaders of more than 120 Labour rebels – the welfare reform bill now struck “the right balance”. Not all the rebels are convinced – and there are still questions over how the concessions will be funded. Reporter: Paul McNamara Producer: Beth Tesfaye Crew: Vic Marwaha Editor: Matthew Bell
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 64% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
