Andy Burnham has called on MPs to reject Sir Keir Starmer's welfare reforms when they come before Parliament on Tuesday, despite the Prime Minister's attempts to soften the legislation.
The Labour Mayor of Greater Manchester said the changes to the benefits system risked creating "unfairness and divide" among disabled people.
Speaking at a panel event at Glastonbury Festival on Sunday, Burnham said: "What's been announced is half a U-turn, a 50 per cent U-turn. In my view I'd hope that MPs vote against the whole Bill when it comes before Parliament."
His intervention comes as Starmer struggles to secure sufficient support for the controversial legislation.
Andy Burnham has called on MPs to reject Sir Keir Starmer's welfare reforms when they come before Parliament on Tuesday, despite the Prime Minister's attempts to soften the legislation
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The Prime Minister has made concessions following pressure from more than 120 of his own MPs, agreeing that existing disability claimants will be able to keep their benefits.
However, stricter eligibility criteria for the personal independence payment (Pip) will still apply to new claimants, prompting warnings from rebels about creating a "two-tier" welfare state.
The partial reversal is expected to cost the Treasury approximately £1.5 billion annually by the end of the decade.
Despite these changes, Burnham maintains his opposition to the revised policy, arguing that the modifications represent only a partial retreat from the original proposals.
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Around 50 Labour MPs are expected to vote against the Bill.
While this would likely not be sufficient to defeat the legislation, it would represent a significant blow to the Prime Minister.
It comes as an additional 150,000 people will be in relative poverty after housing costs by the end of 2030, despite Starmer being forced into a partial U-turn.
The number is lower than the previously estimated 250,000 additional people who would have been pushed into poverty after housing costs under the original plans.
The Labour Mayor of Greater Manchester said the changes to the benefits system risked creating an "unfairness and divide" among disabled people
PAModelling released by the Department for Work and Pensions noted that this estimate does not factor in any “potential positive impact” from increased funding or initiatives aimed at helping people with disabilities and long-term health conditions enter the workforce.
Last week, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall confirmed that changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will only affect new applicants starting in November 2026.
The Government also reversed course on proposed cuts to the health-related component of Universal Credit after 126 Labour MPs backed an amendment that would have effectively blocked the Bill.
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