Health Secretary Wes Streeting stated that the government is now in a stronger position to enact welfare reforms after receiving substantial feedback from Labour MPs. Concerns about planned welfare cuts led to dramatic changes in the government's proposals, including limiting cuts to the Personal Independence Payment to new claimants and adjusting the universal credit payment to rise with inflation. Streeting acknowledged previous mishandling and committed to learning from the backlash, signalling a shift in both the package and approach to welfare reform.
The backlash culminated in a late-night announcement of major concessions to the rebel MPs - including limiting Pip cuts to only new claimants.
Streeting said Labour MPs had raised 'substantial' concerns about planned welfare cuts, and the government strengthen its plans as a result.
Last week, the government faced a growing rebellion from Labour MPs who warned the planned welfare cuts, aimed at saving 5bn annually, were rushed and would hurt vulnerable people.
We are in a much better position this week than last week, Streeting told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, and promised that the government would 'learn' from the narrowly avoided rebellion.
Collection
[
|
...
]