Labour MPs are increasingly vocal in their opposition to proposed cuts to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Universal Credit, with growing discontent within the party threatening to derail government plans.
According to a report from The Guardian (April 20), dozens of Labour MPs are in open rebellion against the government’s proposal to cut £5 billion from benefits aimed at supporting vulnerable individuals.
These cuts, which would affect recipients of PIP and Universal Credit, have sparked outrage among Labour’s left-wing members, who argue that they directly undermine the party’s core values of protecting the most vulnerable in society.
Rising Dissent Among Labour MPs
The backlash against the cuts is being led by several prominent Labour MPs, including Rachael Maskell and Neil Duncan-Jordan, who have voiced their concerns publicly.
Maskell, the MP for York Central, expressed her opposition, stating that the government cannot justify increasing child poverty while simultaneously making life more difficult for disabled people. She emphasised that the Labour Party’s historical commitment to social justice means it should not be in favour of policies that exacerbate inequality.
According to Maskell, there is a growing sense within the party that the government is ignoring widespread public opposition to these cuts. “The government really does need to start listening to MPs, civil society and the population at large,” she said.
Maskell’s comments reflect the widespread frustration among MPs who feel that the government is disregarding the needs of vulnerable groups in society. For many, this issue could be a political tipping point, as some fear that voting in favour of the cuts could cost Labour dearly in the next election.
Key Labour Figures Weigh In
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has also weighed in on the issue, acknowledging that the proposed cuts place the party in an uncomfortable position. Starmer expressed concerns that the cuts would create a “worst-of-all-worlds situation” by discouraging work incentives and harming those who rely on government support the most.
While acknowledging the need for fiscal responsibility, Starmer stressed that it was unsustainable and unfair to penalise the most vulnerable in society in order to reduce the national deficit.
Ed Balls, former shadow chancellor and husband to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, has sharply criticised the cuts, describing them as contrary to Labour’s principles.
He pointed out that while fiscal austerity might be necessary in some areas, targeting those who are least able to work, such as disabled people, would undermine the social fabric the party traditionally stands for.
