The government will provide further information about the concessions it has made regarding proposed changes to welfare, in an attempt to appease rebellious Labour MPs.
Liz Kendall, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, stated that the government’s goal is to create a fairer and more compassionate benefits system, ahead of a vote on the reforms scheduled for Tuesday.
Last week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was forced to make a U-turn in order to save his benefits changes after over 120 Labour MPs threatened to vote against his plans.
The agreement with rebel MPs suggests that the welfare reforms will only save £2 billion per year, instead of the expected £5 billion by 2030.
The Conservatives have criticized the government for missing an opportunity to reform welfare and have called for cuts to mental health benefits for all but the most severe cases.
The original welfare reform bill included proposals to restrict eligibility for the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and reduce the health-related element of Universal Credit.
However, an amendment that would have stopped the bill in its tracks was signed by 126 Labour backbenchers, who argued that the plans were rushed and would push vulnerable disabled individuals into poverty.
When it became clear that the bill would fail, the prime minister offered significant concessions to rebel MPs, including limiting PIP cuts to new claimants only.
The government also reversed its plans to freeze the health-related component of Universal Credit, and the payment will now increase in line with inflation for existing recipients.
Ministers will outline the details of a review of the PIP assessment, to be led by Disabilities Minister Sir Stephen Timms in collaboration with disabled individuals.
The regulations that would implement the right for individuals receiving health and disability benefits to try working without fear of reassessment will also be presented in Parliament.
However, dozens of Labour MPs still have concerns about the benefits changes and may defy the government in Tuesday’s vote.
Clive Efford, Labour MP for Eltham and Chislehurst since 1997, told the BBC that he would still oppose the government’s welfare plans despite the significant concessions.
When asked if he had changed his mind, he replied, “No, I’m afraid I haven’t. There are still £3.5 billion in savings required from these measures and we don’t yet know the impact they will have on poverty.”
Efford believes that many of his Labour colleagues are waiting to hear the government’s statement today and how the amended proposals will affect benefits recipients.
He added, “Until we know and understand the impact on them, we shouldn’t be taking what I see as a leap in the dark.”
Efforts have continued throughout the weekend to speak with Labour MPs about the changes, and Kendall hopes to provide further reassurance to those who are still uncertain before Tuesday’s vote on the second reading of the new law, called the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill.
Kendall said, “We must build a welfare system that provides security for those who are unable to work and the appropriate support for those who can.
“Too often, disabled individuals feel trapped, worried that if they try to work, they could lose the support they depend on.
“That is why we are taking action to remove those barriers, support disabled individuals to live with dignity and independence, and create opportunities for employment for those who wish to pursue it.”
The Liberal Democrats plan to vote against the bill and have called on the government to accelerate its program to help individuals find work.
Daisy Cooper, the party’s deputy leader, stated, “Liberal Democrats simply cannot support any measures that make things more difficult for unpaid carers, disabled individuals who rely on assistance with daily tasks to remain employed, and those whose disabilities mean they will never be able to work.”
Ministers hope that their reforms will increase employment among benefits recipients, at a time when 2.8 million individuals are economically inactive due to long-term illness.
If no changes are made, the bill for health and disability benefits is expected to reach £70 billion per year by the end of the decade, a level of spending that the government considers “unsustainable.”
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