7 h. ago Pyrrhic victory on UK welfare shows need for systemic reform, analysts say

Think-tanks argue sensitive policy change should not be driven by need to meet fiscal rules

Politics

21 h. ago Sadiq Khan doubles down in row with Prime Minister over benefits cuts

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is still facing backlash amid concern the welfare reforms will create a ‘two-tier’ benefits system

Politics

36 h. ago MPs on fence ahead of crunch welfare vote as 'costs facing disabled people soar'

Dozens of Labour MPs are still said to be on the fence about whether to support plans to reform the welfare system in a crunch vote on Tuesday, despite major concessions

Politics

3 d. ago Starmer: Labour will not take away ‘safety net’ from vulnerable people

The Prime Minister told the Welsh Labour conference the ‘broken’ welfare system must be fixed ‘in a Labour way’.

Politics

4 d. ago Another tragic fact about this disastrous welfare bill: it proves Labour hasn’t learned and doesn’t listen | Polly Toynbee

From cabinet members to the British public, there is an outcry about these benefits cuts. Why is the government always so poor at reading the room?This disaster bill won’t pass on Tuesday. The dangerous obduracy of the prime minister and chancellor confirms precisely what Labour MPs say: they haven’t listened, they aren’t listening and the fear is they won’t learn to listen. Even if the bill squeezed through with some softening, it will be a pyrrhic victory. Why take such a risk for so little? U-turns are better than crashes, but best not left to the last nanosecond.Senior ministers, some of whom have already spoken up in cabinet, will put their feet down firmly to insist on radical alteration, or better still that it’s withdrawn and rethought to avoid what they call “this catastrophe”. If niceties of parliamentary practice escape some, understand how extraordinary this rebellion is. Read their “reasoned amendment” with its crushing reasons why.Polly Toynbee is a Guardian columnist ...

Events

4 d. ago Another tragic fact about this disastrous welfare bill: it proves Labour hasn’t learned and doesn’t truly listen | Polly Toynbee

From cabinet members to the British public, there is an outcry about these benefits cuts. Why is the government always so poor at reading the room?This disaster bill won’t pass on Tuesday. The dangerous obduracy of the prime minister and chancellor confirms precisely what Labour MPs say: they haven’t listened, they aren’t listening and the fear is they won’t learn to listen. Even if the bill squeezed through with some softening, it will be a pyrrhic victory. Why take such a risk for so little? U-turns are better than crashes, but best not left to the last nanosecond.Senior ministers, some of whom have already spoken up in cabinet, will put their feet down firmly to insist on radical alteration, or better still that it’s withdrawn and rethought to avoid what they call “this catastrophe”. If niceties of parliamentary practice escape some, understand how extraordinary this rebellion is. Read their “reasoned amendment” with its crushing reasons why.Polly Toynbee is a Guardian columnist ...

Events

5 d. ago Making concessions on benefit cuts 'not enough', says Scots Labour MP

Brian Leishman said "the real Labour thing to do" is "to create a welfare system that looks after people".

Politics

5 d. ago Starmer to press on with welfare reforms as 120 Labour MPs prepare to defy him

The Prime Minister said the ‘broken’ welfare system must be fixed.

Politics

7 d. ago Scots Labour MP urges colleagues to vote against DWP benefit cuts next week

Brian Leishman said asked his fellow Labour MPs "to do the right thing and stop the proposed changes to our welfare system."

Politics

1 week ago Senior Labour MP quits her post over planned DWP benefits cuts

Sir Keir Starmer has faced a backlash from some Labour MPs over proposals to reform the welfare system

Politics