9 h. ago DWP announces Universal Credit and PIP changes after welfare reforms backed by MPs

The Government's Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill was backed by MPs in the House of Commons on Tuesday, July 1, after significant concessions were made

Politics

27 h. ago James McMurdock says ‘business dealings’ compliant after he resigns Reform whip

James McMurdock has agreed to co-operate with any investigation, the party said.

Economics

28 h. ago McMurdock says ‘business dealings’ compliant after he resigns Reform whip

The MP has agreed to co-operate with any investigation, the party said.

Economics

30 h. ago MP resigns Reform UK whip amid ‘business propriety’ investigation

James McMurdock was elected South Basildon and East Thurrock MP a year ago.

Economics

39 h. ago ‘We promised change but people aren’t feeling it yet’: Labour rues poor first year

MPs, aides and other party figures reflect on what went wrong and how they could still turn things aroundIn a stiflingly hot room at a health centre in East London, as he announced the government’s 10-year plan for the NHS on Thursday, Keir Starmer was confronted with a brutal assessment of his first year in power.“You’ve U-turned on your reforms, your MPs don’t trust you, and markets worry that you’ve lost resolve on fiscal discipline. It’s the epitome, isn’t it, of sticking-plaster politics and chaos that you promised voters you would end?” a television journalist asked. Continue reading...

Politics

67 h. ago DWP benefits reform faces new challenge as Labour MPs back plan to widen eligibility

Labour backbencher Graeme Downie has proposed a welfare reform Bill amendment that would make the lives of sickness and disability benefit claimants simpler

Politics

4 d. ago The Guardian view on Labour’s welfare rebellion: Starmer must learn from his mistakes | Editorial

A poorly devised cuts policy was mis-sold as reform and MPs were dismissed when they pointed out the problemA clash between the government and Labour MPs over disability benefits was foreseeable long before this week’s Commons rebellion. That doesn’t mean a crisis was inevitable. Compromise might have been reached before the 11th-hour climbdown that averted a defeat in parliament.The conflagration that burned a lot of Sir Keir Starmer’s authority was all the greater because trust had broken down. The twin causes were failure of political judgment in Downing Street and bad policy. The prime minister underestimated the potency of MPs’ objections to the withdrawal of personal independence payment (Pip) from disabled people, and overestimated the capacity of his whips to bully and cajole his party into accepting the changes.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to...

Politics

4 d. ago Rachel Reeves battles tears as Sir Keir Starmer declines to back her staying in post

The Prime Minister faced MPs after being forced into a U-turn over welfare reforms

Events

4 d. ago Kill the bill: Who are the five London Labour MPs who tried to block Keir Starmer's welfare reforms?

In total, 44 Labour MPs voted for an amendment to scrap the controversial legislation

Events

4 d. ago What benefits have changed after Keir Starmer's Parliament humiliation? Everything you need to know as Labour rebels force PM into farcical U

What happened in the largest revolt so far of Sir Keir Starmer's premiership; what does it mean for the personal independence payment (Pip) and Universal Credit; and what comes next?

Politics

5 d. ago The full list of Labour MPs who voted against Keir Starmer's welfare reform bill

In total, 44 Labour MPs voted for an amendment to scrap the controversial legislation

Economics

5 d. ago How No 10 went from bullish to badly damaged as rebels forced further welfare bill concessions

Tumultuous 24 hours capped by last-minute climbdown on cuts to Pips could define rest of Starmer’s time as PMHow did your MP vote on the welfare reforms?Hours before MPs were due to vote on the government’s welfare bill, Angela Rayner conveyed an urgent message to Downing Street.She had spent the day in intense talks with Labour rebels including Sarah Owen and Florence Eshalomi, and come to the conclusion the concessions offered just days earlier had failed. Dozens of them were still planning to vote against the government, and one of Keir Starmer’s major economic policies hung in the balance. Continue reading...

Economics

5 d. ago MPs vote to back Keir Starmer's welfare reform bill after government offers rebels more concessions

In a late climbdown as MPs prepared to vote, the Government shelved plans to restrict eligibility for the personal independence payment

Politics

5 d. ago Starmer survives by skin of his teeth – and here’s what he must do now

Sir Keir Starmer’s weaknesses have been badly exposed in a chaotic debate around his welfare reforms. He needs to start listening to his MPs, notes David Maddox

Events

5 d. ago No 10 considers further concessions on welfare bill just hours before vote – UK politics live

Guardian deputy political editor Jessica Elgot says another concession to rebels MPs is possible Compass, the leftwing group urging Labour to be more pluralistic, has put out a statement condemning the UC and Pip bill. Its director, Neal Lawson, said:If your own friends are telling you to put the brakes on, then something has clearly gone wrong. Despite the government’s line, this legislation does not advance Labour values. It is fundamentally at odds with them, and with the views of the mainstream of the party and civil society.”MPs from across the House, and especially the Labour side, must back Rachael Maskell’s reasoned amendment. This bill’s creation of a three-tiered social security system would condemn thousands to poverty and could lose Labour the next election.A bill of this magnitude should have been co-produced with disabled people and our organisations from the very start.Now, ministers scramble to promise ‘consultation’ as one small part of the process. That is too litt...

Politics

5 d. ago Labour rebel criticises ‘Dickensian’ welfare cuts as MPs debate bill ahead of vote – UK politics live

MPs are debating the universal credit and Pip bill as Lindsay Hoyle says he has selected amendment tabled by Rachael MaskellCompass, the leftwing group urging Labour to be more pluralistic, has put out a statement condemning the UC and Pip bill. Its director, Neal Lawson, said:If your own friends are telling you to put the brakes on, then something has clearly gone wrong. Despite the government’s line, this legislation does not advance Labour values. It is fundamentally at odds with them, and with the views of the mainstream of the party and civil society.”MPs from across the House, and especially the Labour side, must back Rachael Maskell’s reasoned amendment. This bill’s creation of a three-tiered social security system would condemn thousands to poverty and could lose Labour the next election.A bill of this magnitude should have been co-produced with disabled people and our organisations from the very start.Now, ministers scramble to promise ‘consultation’ as one small part of th...

Politics

5 d. ago Commons showdown on benefit reforms underway as Starmer faces biggest revolt by Labour MPs of his premiership

Ministers hope that the PM’s partial U-turn will be enough to win over sufficient Labour rebels to pass the Government’s welfare changes when MPs vote on Tuesday

Politics

5 d. ago Who are the key Labour figures leading the charge against Keir Starmer's benefits cuts?

Dozens of Labour MPs are said to still be uneasy about the tweaked welfare reforms as the government heads to a crunch vote

Politics

5 d. ago Welfare reform bill LIVE as MPs vote on DWP benefit cuts amid mass Labour rebellion

Labour faces a rebellion with many MPs opposed to the bill

Politics

5 d. ago Only two Scottish Labour MPs sign new amendment to block benefit cuts

Brian Leishman and Maureen Burke are part of a group of 39 Labour MPs who publicly backed a bid to stop the welfare reforms from becoming law.

Politics