Labour will unveil four major U-turns on its reforms to Britain's soaring benefits spend today in a bid to stave off a "mega-rebellion" which could shatter the party's working majority.
Work & Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall had already confirmed concessions would be made to her plans after 126 Labour backbenchers signed an amendment that would have halted the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill at its first Commons hurdle.
With its second reading set for Tuesday, Kendall has vowed to bring in a "fairer, more compassionate system" through dropping four of the Bill's key new rules.
Her original plans had restricted eligibility for the personal independence payment (Pip) and cut the health-related element of universal credit.
The changes to Pip will now only apply to new claims from November 2026.
Cuts to the health-related element of universal credit have also been dialled back, with all existing recipients to have their incomes protected in real terms.
Details of a review of the Pip assessment, to be led by disabilities minister Sir Stephen Timms and "co-produced" with disabled people, will also be published.
Draft regulations for the "right to try", to guarantee that people receiving health and disability benefits to try work without fear of reassessment, will also be laid out to MPs.
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UK economy sees highest growth since early 2024
The data comes as Chancellor Rachel Reeves faces mounting pressure to balance investment-led recovery with strict fiscal rules.GETTYThe UK economy expanded by 0.7 per cent between January and March, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS)
The increase in gross domestic product (GDP) was driven by growth across all three main sectors.
Services output rose by 0.7 per cent, while production increased by 1.3 per cent and construction edged up by 0.3 per cent.
Keir Starmer warns hospitals MUST ban trans people from women's toilets immediately - 'Stop dragging your feet!'
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has warned hospitals and universities that they must now ban transgender people from women's toilets "as soon as possible".
The Labour leader said public bodies are required to obey the law and must comply with April’s Supreme Court ruling - which found that trans women are not legally women.
However, months later, dozens of NHS trusts have failed to change their guidance.
Hitting back, the Starmer said: “We’ve accepted the ruling, welcomed the ruling, and everything else flows from that as far as I’m concerned.
“Therefore all guidance of whatever kind needs to be consistent with the ruling and we need to get to that position as soon as possible.”
Nigel Farage accused of 'post-Brexit delusion' by furious Albanian PM in fresh twist to international feud - READ IN FULL
Edi Rama claimed Nigel Farage's figures were false
Getty/ X
Nigel Farage has been accused of "post-Brexit delusion" by Albania's Prime Minister in a furious new twist in the pair's growing war of words.
Just days ago, the Reform UK chief had demanded on GB News that PM Edi Rama "take all your criminals back" following damning research which found that as many as one in 50 Albanians in Britain are in prison.
Rama had then claimed Farage's figures were false, blasting: "It's not a fact. It's bonkers. A classic from the post-truth Brexit playbook."
Labour minister slams BBC warnings during Bob Vylan’s Glastonbury set as 'not good enough'
A Government minister has suggested that the BBC’s on-screen warnings about strong and discriminatory language during Bob Vylan’s Glastonbury performance were inadequate.
Baroness Jacqui Smith was asked whether she believes the BBC displays any bias.
"I don’t think the BBC has a bias, but I think it made a mistake here," she told Times Radio.
“It’s not good enough simply to say on screen that, you know, this is dodgy language.
“It was far beyond that and it shouldn’t have been broadcast live. And I think it would have been possible for the BBC to stop that."
EXPOSED: EU to impose sweeping new regulation on the WHOLE of Britain in just 24 hours
The EU is set to impose a new regulation across Britain in a matter of hoursPAThe EU is set to impose a new regulation across Britain in a matter of hours.
The first phase of a three-pronged series of food labelling rules will come into force from July 1 - giving ministers the power to enforce EU regulations across the whole of the UK.
Labour backbenchers say PM’s credibility 'substantially damaged' ahead of crunch vote
Sir Keir Starmer faces a critical parliamentary vote on Tuesday as MPs prepare to vote on the Government's welfare proposals.
Despite concessions made last week, numerous backbench Labour MPs continue to threaten rebellion against the legislation.
The Prime Minister's attempts to quell dissent have achieved partial success, with some high-profile critics now backing the Government.
Former transport secretary Louise Haigh is among those who have reversed their opposition and announced they will support the proposals.
However, one Labour MP said: "A Prime Minister can't within weeks announce a series of reversals of policy which he was previously absolutely firm on without losing political capital."
"That's where we now are, it's self-evident that Starmer's credibility has been substantially damaged," they told The Telegraph.
Liz Kendall's line on the quadruple welfare U-turn - READ IN FULL
'This is about delivering a fairer, more compassionate system as part of our plan for change,' Liz Kendall said
PALiz Kendall said: "We must build a welfare system that provides security for those who cannot work and the right support for those who can.
"Too often, disabled people feel trapped, worried that if they try to work, they could lose the support they depend on.
"That is why we are taking action to remove those barriers, support disabled people to live with dignity and independence, and open routes into employment for those who want to pursue it.
"This is about delivering a fairer, more compassionate system as part of our plan for change which supports people to thrive, whatever their circumstances."
RECAP: What are the four U-turns for? Keir Starmer faces mega-rebellion as 100 Labour MPs plot to kill PM's welfare bill
Last week, reports emerged that the Prime Minister was bracing for a huge backbench rebellion over his plan to cut Britain's ballooning benefits bill by £5billion.
Almost 100 Labour MPs are believed to have signed an amendment demanding further consultation on Sir Keir Starmer's welfare proposals.
The amendment, which has been led by Treasury Select Committee chair Meg Hillier, could derail Work & Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall's large-scale plans for reform.
But rebels have claimed that the amendment, which will be published on Tuesday, does not intend to wreck Labour's welfare bill.
“We all want the Labour Government to succeed in getting people back into work and supporting those who can’t," Hillier told The Guardian.
"We don’t want to defeat the Government but we want the Government to think again," she added...
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