We’ve got the right balance says Keir Starmer, after benefits U-turn

Sir Keir Starmer said that the welfare reforms hit the “right balance” after compromising their backbench deputies.

The government’s first plans aimed at reducing the welfare bill would make it difficult for people to demand personal independence payment (PIP), a benefit paid to 3.7 million people with long -term physical or mental health conditions.

However, the government, which faces an increasing rebellion from the Labor MPs and a possible defeat in the joints, announced that more strict criteria will only be valid for new plaintiffs.

“As a result, we talked to his colleagues who make healthy representations because we have a package that I think will work,” he said.

Speaking with the publishers, Sir Keir said, “We need to do it right, so we talk to his colleagues and we have a constructive discussion.

“Now we have reached a package that offers principles with some regulations, and this is the right reform and now I’m really glad to take it forward.”

The government initially hoped to save £ 5 billion annually by 2030 with a universal credit and personal independence payment invoice and aimed to slow down the increase in plaintiffs.

It is estimated that health benefits in the working age will cost an extra £ 30 billion by 2029 without reform.

However, the government has encountered dissatisfaction with approximately 120 of its deputies on the amendments.

The rebels told the BBC that their colleagues were pleased with the concessions, while some workers said that they would still vote against the proposals.

The size of this rebellion is not yet clear, but it is thought that 50 labor force deputies can still vote for the bill and will remain a few abstaining.

Dame Meg Hillier, who led the attempts to prevent plans, said that BBC ministers have brought “reassuring measures” and support the government.

However, most of the deputies on the left of the Parliamentary Labor Party constitute most of the opposition to the bill, and others said they did not believe that the changes have gone further enough.

For some, they focus on the interruptions that ministers want to benefit from disability.

For others, this is the latest disappointment of a lack of participation among the Backbenchers, which are seen to be 10 and in favor.

Backbencher, a high -level worker, said that Sir Keir has been so long since I called them to discuss prosperity plans, “I will congratulate you for winning the general election.”

Another worker deputy who plans to vote against the government is still seen as “more important than others” and said “a big problem in itself”.

Some Backbench deputies have concerns that new offers will treat people with the same conditions differently, depending on whether they are present or new plaintiffs.

BBC was told that some of them seeking legal advice on whether a “two -layer” system would be allowed.

The spokesman for the Prime Minister stressed that the government is looking for similar legal advice, but it is not unusual to have different rules for different benefit plaintiffs.