Upcoming vote on disability and sickness benefit cuts has revealed significant dissent from Labour MPs, with 123 signing an amendment to halt the bill. Speculation arises that the government may delay the vote to find concessions to appease rebels, despite assurances from Keir Starmer that it will move forward. Starmer calls for welfare reform, arguing the current system hinders employment prospects, as the government navigates a contentious political landscape and an uneasy mood among ministers.
By last night, 123 Labour MPs had signed the amendment, up from 108, plus 11 MPs from opposition parties, all from Northern Ireland.
Privately, some close to the prime minister are preparing to delay next Tuesday's vote in an attempt to buy time and find concessions to win enough of the rebels around.
Starmer has failed to quell speculation that the vote will be postponed. Despite what he said publicly yesterday, the BBC is reporting a source close to government thinking.
He said the welfare system had to change: It traps people in a position where they can't get into work.
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