Rachel Reeves Sends Message To Labour MPs Unhappy About Welfare Cuts
Rachel Reeves has hit back at Labour MPs calling for the government to rethink its cuts to welfare reform.
More than 40 MPs from across the party have written to prime minister Keir Starmer urging him to reassess the planned cuts to disability benefits this week.
The government intends to tighten the eligibility for personal independent payments (Pips) to save around £5bn per year in a move which is expected to affect around 700,000 people.
The MPs warned that the proposals have 'caused a huge amount of anxiety and concern among disabled people and their families'.
A Commons vote on the plan is expected in June.
If all of the MPs who wrote to the prime minister rebelled against the government, it would be Labour's largest revolt since being elected in July.
However, speaking to broadcasters on Friday, the chancellor doubled down on the government's plans, saying that it was crucial for the whole system to be reformed.
Reeves said: 'I don't think anybody, including Labour MPs and members, think that the current welfare system created by the Conservative party is working today.
'They know that the system needs reform. We do need to reform how the welfare system works if we're going to grow our economy.
'But crucially, if we're going to lift people out of poverty and give more people the chance to fulfil their potential, the focus has got to be on supporting people into work.
'Of course, if you can't work the welfare state must always be there for you, and with this government it will be. But there are many people that are trapped on benefits that are desperate to work, that have been cut out of opportunity for too long. That will change under this government.'
'We will step up and help people fulfil their potential,' says Chancellor Rachel Reeves as she outlines welfare reform plans focused on getting more people into work adding 'It is the priority of this government."https://t.co/M1L3tNAEUp📺 Sky 501, Freeview 233 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/fLOmUF97vr
— Sky News (@SkyNews) May 9, 2025
The backlash follows a particularly poor performance from Labour in the local elections, where right-wing party Reform UK took more than 600 council seats and won the Runcorn and Helsby by-election.
HuffPost UK also revealed today that the chancellor has held talks this week on the possibility of changing Labour's winter fuel payment policy following intense backlash.
It comes amid growing anger among Labour MPs at the electoral damage being done by the plan.
Rachel Reeves Exclusive: Chancellor Denies Welfare Reforms Will Push 250,000 Into Poverty
Spring Statement 2025: More Than 3 Million To Be Hit By 'Catastrophic' Welfare Cuts
Exclusive: Rachel Reeves Has Been Involved In Talks On Changing Labour's Winter Fuel Payment Policy
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