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The Independent
28 minutes ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Government dealt resignation blow ahead of benefits cuts vote
& Jane Dalton Vicky Foxcroft resigned as a government whip, stating she could not support proposed reforms to personal independence payments (PIP) and the health element of Universal Credit. Foxcroft emphasised her belief that reducing the welfare bill should be achieved by supporting disabled people into work, not through financial cuts. The government's legislation aims to tighten PIP criteria, cut the sickness-related element of Universal Credit, and delay access for those under 22. These reforms are projected to save £5 billion annually and are intended to encourage more individuals off sickness benefits and into employment. The prime minister is bracing for a significant rebellion from Labour MPs, with many expected to vote against the changes, which critics warn will negatively impact disabled people.
Mint
9 hours ago
- Business
- Mint
Labour MP Vicky Foxcroft resigns as government whip over welfare cuts
Labour MP Vicky Foxcroft has resigned as a government whip in protest against Sir Keir Starmer's proposed benefit reforms, which include cuts to support for disabled people. In a letter to the prime minister, Foxcroft made clear that she could not support changes that would reduce financial assistance for those in need. 'I therefore tender my resignation as I know I will not be able to do the job that is required of me and whip – or indeed vote – for reforms which include cuts to disabled people's finances,' she wrote. Foxcroft, who previously served as shadow minister for disabled people, becomes the first MP to quit the government in opposition to the controversial welfare package. Her departure adds pressure on the Labour leadership amid growing concern from within the party over its handling of benefit reform. In her resignation letter, the Lewisham North MP acknowledged that the welfare system needs change but criticised the approach being taken. 'The benefits system is in desperate need of reform,' she wrote. 'I absolutely understand the need to address the ever-increasing welfare bill in these difficult economic times, but I have always believed this could and should be done by supporting more disabled people into work.' She added: 'I do not believe that cuts to personal independence payment (PIP) and the health element of Universal Credit should be part of the solution.' Foxcroft described her decision to resign as one she had 'wrestled' with for some time. 'Sadly it now seems that we are not going to get the changes I desperately wanted to see,' she said, adding that continuing in her role would have meant supporting reforms she fundamentally disagrees with. Her resignation may signal further dissent within Labour ranks as the party seeks to implement contentious welfare reforms.
ITV News
10 hours ago
- Business
- ITV News
Labour whip resigns over government's proposed welfare cuts
Labour MP Vicky Foxcroft has resigned as a government whip over the party's welfare proposals, saying that she could not vote 'for reforms which include cuts to disabled people's finances'. In a letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, the MP for Lewisham North said: "I absolutely understand the need to address the ever-increasing welfare bill in these difficult economic times. "But I have always believed this could and should be done by supporting more disabled people into work. "I do not believe that cuts to personal independence payment (PIP) and the health element of Universal Credit should be part of the solution." Foxcroft said it had been an 'honour' to serve in the government and had "wrestled" over whether to "resign or remain in the government and fight for change from within". "Sadly it is now seems that we are not going to get the changes I desperately wanted to see," she added.'I therefore tender my resignation as I know I will not be able to do the job that is required of me and whip – or indeed vote – for reforms which include cuts to disabled people's finances." Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell, who lost the Labour whip last year, posted on X: 'Vicky Foxcroft worked really hard as the shadow minister for the disabled & as a result will have a thorough understanding of the implications of the benefit cuts on disabled people. I fully respect her for the decision she has taken.' Starmer has faced a backlash from some Labour MPs over proposals to reform the welfare system, expected to save up to £5 billion a year. The government's proposals – aimed at encouraging more people off sickness benefits and into work – are set to include the tightening of criteria for personal independence payment (Pip), which is the main disability benefit. They also include a cut to the sickness-related element of universal credit (UC) and delayed access to only those aged 22 and over. Ministers are likely to face a Commons stand-off with backbench Labour MPs over their plans, with dozens of them last month saying the proposals were 'impossible to support'. The legislation, known as the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill, was formally introduced to the Commons on Wednesday. MPs will debate a second reading of the bill on July 1.
Daily Mirror
10 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Blow for Keir Starmer as Labour frontbencher quits over disability benefit cuts
Vicky Foxcroft said "with a heavy heart" she would be giving up her role as a government whip, saying changes she'd wanted to see made to the welfare reform had not happened. Keir Starmer has suffered a blow as a frontbencher quit in protest over planned cuts to disability benefits. Vicky Foxcroft said "with a heavy heart" she would be giving up her role as a government whip, saying changes she'd wanted to see made to the welfare reform had not happened. "I absolutely understand the need to address the ever-increasing welfare bill in these difficult economic times," Ms Foxcroft wrote in her letter of resignation. "But I have always believed this could and should be done by supporting more disabled people into work." She went on: "I do not believe that cuts to personal independence payment (PIP) and the health element of Universal Credit should be part of the solution." Government whips are in charge of morale and discipline. It would have been Ms Foxcroft's role to convince wavering Labour MPs to back rhe bill and corral them through the voting lobbies. She added: "I have wrestled with whether I should resign or remain in the Government and fight for change from within. Sadly it is now seems that we are not going to get the changes I desperately wanted to see. "I therefore tender my resignation as I know I will not be able to do the job that is required of me and whip - or indeed vote - for reforms which include cuts to disabled people's finances." Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall argued she was taking "the road of compassion, opportunity and dignity" as she sought to soften the impact by introducing a 13-week transition period so existing claimants avoid a cliff edge. But campaigners said the last-minute changes to the plans would do little to mitigate the devastating impact. Around 3.2 million families could be hit by the overall reforms by 2030, with an average loss of £1,720 per year, according to the Government's analysis in March. The document said estimates did not include the impact of the £1 billion employment support package "which we expect to mitigate the poverty impact". Around 800,000 people are expected to be impacted by PIP changes, including 370,000 current claimants and 430,000 future recipients, with an average loss of £4,500 per year. The tightening of eligibility will mean those who can't wash half of their body or cook a meal unaided no longer qualify for the daily living element - unless they have another condition. The UC health element, which is claimed by more than two million people, will be frozen at £97 a week for existing claimants until 2029/30, and reduced to £50 a week for new claimants from 2026/27.
Daily Mirror
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Two-child benefit cap attacked by Labour minister in hint it could be scrapped
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, co-chair of the Government's Child Poverty Task Force, said the two-child benefit limit would not have been brought in under Labour and said it is 'clear' it is having an impact A Labour frontbencher has attacked the impact of the two-child benefit limit - in the strongest hint yet it could be ripped up. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said it "was not something that a Labour government would have introduced" before saying it was "clear" it had an impact on child poverty. Ms Phillipson, who co-chairs the Government's Child Poverty Task Force, said she is looking at "every way in which can lift more children out of poverty". Ministers face growing calls to tear up the controversial policy, which restricts Child Tax Credit and Universal Credit to the first two children in a household. Ms Phillipson said: "The two child limit was not something that a Labour government would have introduced. "It was a measure introduced by the Conservative Party. It's clear it's had a significant impact.." The Education Secretary said she and Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, her fellow co-chair, are looking at how social security measures can bring rates down. She said: "As part of the work that I'm doing together with the Work and Pensions Secretary, we're looking at every way in which we can lift more children out of poverty. "So all areas are under consideration, including social security measures." Think-tank the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has estimated that half a million children could be lifted out of poverty if the two-child limit was scrapped. The policy, drawn up by Tory austerity Chancellor George Osborne, came into effect in 2017. Ms Phillipson said: "Child poverty is a scar on this country it devastates childrens' life chances but it damages all of us and we're all poorer as a result of so many children growing up in poverty." The Government's strategy was expected to be presented in the spring, but is now not set to be released until later this year. "We'll publish the child poverty strategy later this year. We want to make sure it's thorough and comprehensive and addresses all of the challenges we face, but also demonstrates clear Government action to bring down child poverty. "Of course, we're not waiting around for the child poverty strategy. I was delighted to be able to announce the expansion of free school meals eligibility to all families on Universal Credit, and that will lift at least 200,000 children out of poverty. "It will benefit more than half a million children, and it puts money directly back in the parents pockets. So that is I'm delighted we were able to deliver that, because I know it will make a really big difference to parents, to children, but also to schools as well, because what they tell me is that the damage that poverty causes affects children's ability to learn. "So that is the difference that a Labour Government is able to make within the first year." Ms Phillipson also pointed to free breakfast clubs being rolled out across the country, as well as school-based nurseries providing more childcare places, and a cut in the cost of school uniforms. "These are all practical measures that will help parents, but also will deliver better outcomes for children," she said. But the Government faces criticism after its own data suggested 50,000 children could be pushed into relative poverty by 2030 as a result of welfare cuts. " What the data doesn't take into account is the extra support that we're putting in place around supporting people back into work," she said. "It also doesn't account for the changes that we've made around free school meals. "So as a government, we are committed to bringing down the number of children growing up in poverty."
