11 h. ago DWP boss defends welfare reform changes after PIP plans put on hold

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall acknowledged it had been a “bumpy ride when she appeared before the Work and Pensions Committee on Wednesday.

Economics

31 h. ago Kendall defends welfare reform plan after Government forced to ditch key parts

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall insisted she was motivated by getting people into work rather than cutting costs.

Politics

61 h. ago Disabled people want to live a full life. Instead, we’re forced to scrap over our right to food and a wash | Frances Ryan

Britain’s political and media class advocate policies that leave disabled people hungry and dirty. Why are we expected to settle for this?There is a longstanding practice in UK politics and media to force disabled people to fight for their basic rights – a kind of gladiatorial scrap in which the Colosseum is replaced by the set of Good Morning Britain.With the government’s welfare reform bill just passed by MPs, this has felt all the more stark. In the last week alone, the leader of the opposition, Kemi Badenoch, has used a speech to declare she does not “believe” that one in four people are disabled, as if the Equality Act were based on vibes. “Twenty-eight million people in Britain are working to pay the wages and benefits of 28 million others,” she went on. “The rider is as big as the horse.”Frances Ryan is a Guardian columnist. She is the author of Who Wants Normal? The Disabled Girls’ Guide to Life Continue reading...

Society

2 d. ago MPs slam ‘disgraceful’ rollback of Northern Ireland veterans legislation

The debate followed a public petition against repealing the legislation which attracted more than 170,000 signatures.

Politics

3 d. ago DWP update over Blue Badges and free buses for PIP claimants after welfare reform

The government has announced that people who currently receive Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and use the Blue Badge scheme will not be affected by the upcoming welfare reforms

Politics

8 d. ago Ministers face fresh challenge to welfare reforms in Wednesday votes

Labour MP for York Central Rachael Maskell accused the Government of being ‘stubborn’ in its welfare reform efforts.

Politics

9 d. ago OBR: Vulnerable UK faces 'daunting' threats to stability of public finances after welfare climbdown

Successive governments’ efforts to put the UK public finances have met with only “limited and temporary success” says watchdog

Economics

9 d. ago Before the government overhauls special educational needs, lessons must be learnt

Editorial: The welfare reform bill fiasco has made rethinking education, health and care plans infinitely more difficult. Any reforms must clearly be for the benefit of the recipients – not driven by the Treasury’s need to make savings

Politics

1 week ago Nigel Farage says flaws in Reform UK’s candidate vetting process were not his fault – UK politics live

Farage says any errors in the runup to the 2024 general election cannot be laid at his door as he was not party leader at the timeThe Conservatives will try to change the government’s welfare Bill to tighten up access to personal independence payments (Pip) and universal credit, PA Media reports. PA says:Kemi Badenoch will pledge that the Tories are “now the only party committed to serious welfare reform” after Keir Starmer shelved plans to restrict eligibility for Pip in the face of a backbench revolt this week.The Tories will look to lay amendments to the legislation – set to be renamed the universal credit bill – and party leader Badenoch is due to deliver a speech on welfare on Thursday. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Minister won’t rule out support cuts for children with EHCPs amid Send overhaul – UK politics live

Stephen Morgan, the early education minister, would not confirm every child who has an EHCP would continue to keep the same provisionsThe Conservatives will try to change the government’s welfare Bill to tighten up access to personal independence payments (Pip) and universal credit, PA Media reports. PA says:Kemi Badenoch will pledge that the Tories are “now the only party committed to serious welfare reform” after Keir Starmer shelved plans to restrict eligibility for Pip in the face of a backbench revolt this week.The Tories will look to lay amendments to the legislation – set to be renamed the universal credit bill – and party leader Badenoch is due to deliver a speech on welfare on Thursday. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Ministers ‘pushed ahead too fast’ on welfare reform, says Phillipson

The Government warned there would be financial consequences to the decision not to reform personal independence payment as planned.

Politics

1 week ago Readers’ letters: Labour rebels were elected with a welfare reform mandate

A reader says Rachel Reeves’ tears would be understandable if they were about Labour rebels wrecking her work to reform the benefits system

Politics

1 week ago Can Starmer and Reeves hold the Labour Party together? Ask John Rentoul anything

The Independent’s chief political commentator, John Rentoul, is here to answer your questions as Labour grapples with a welfare reform crisis, mounting pressure on Keir Starmer’s leadership, and growing doubts over Rachel Reeves’s position

Society

1 week 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

1 week ago Now Reeves hints taxes WILL go up: After she vowed there'd be no more hikes, public is warned of £40BILLION bill in Budget

The Chancellor said there would be 'a cost' to this week's U-turn on welfare reform, which she said would be 'reflected in the Budget'.

Economics

2 w. ago Government still reforming ‘utterly broken’ welfare system – Murray

The Scottish Secretary said the Government is still on a ‘journey’ of welfare reform.

Politics

2 w. ago NI Communities Minister attacks ‘shameful’ welfare reform plans

Gordon Lyons said the Labour Government had made an ‘incredible mess’ of its welfare reform agenda.

Politics

2 w. ago Starmer vows to press on with welfare reform as he takes blame for U

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer acknowledged his Government did not ‘get the process right’.

Politics

2 w. ago Can Labour survive its identity crisis? Ask chief political commentator John Rentoul anything

The Independent’s chief political commentator, John Rentoul, is here to answer your questions as Labour grapples with a welfare reform crisis, mounting pressure on Keir Starmer’s leadership, and growing doubts over Rachel Reeves’s position

Events

2 w. ago Reeves will be Chancellor 'into next election', says Starmer after her tears in Commons spooked markets

Prime Minister admits the Government ‘didn’t get the process right’ on welfare reform - after Chancellor told Speaker she was ‘under so much pressure’

Politics