Disability Charities Urge MPs To Defeat Starmer's Plans For 'Two-Tier' Welfare System

An activist holds a banner against disability benefit cuts' during a protest by People's Assembly on June 7.Disability charities have called on MPs to reject Keir Starmer’s plans for a “two-tier” welfare system.The prime minister was forced in an embarrassing climbdown after more than 120 Labour MPs joined a rebellion against £5 billion of cuts to the benefits system.Ministers had initially planned to make it harder to receive personal independence payments (PIP) and to cut Universal Credit.In an attempt to buy off the rebels, Starmer has said that the new rules will only apply to those who apply for the benefits in future.That means that two disabled people with the same condition could end up receiving completely different payments depending on when they started claiming.MPs will vote on the government’s Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill in the Commons next Tuesday.While some rebels have insisted they will still defy the PM, it is thought enough of them will now ditch their opposition for the legislation to pass.But Mikey Erhard, policy lead at Disability Rights UK said: “We completely reject the imposition of the two-tier system on offer. It is not a massive concession to have a benefit system where future generations of disabled people receive less support than disabled people today. MPs must vote against this proposal.”In a post on X, the disabled group Scope said: “These new changes will create a two-tier benefits system and an unequal future for disabled people. People who become disabled in the future will not have the same access to support.“We’re still urging MPs to vote against the bill next week. These changes don’t go far enough.”These new changes will create a two-tier benefits system and an unequal future for disabled people.People who become disabled in the future will not have the same access to support.We're still urging MPs to vote against the bill next week. These changes don't go far enough.— Scope (@scope) June 27, 2025Charlotte Gill, head of campaigns and public affairs at the MS Society, said: The government are finally being forced to reckon with the crisis that their proposed benefits cuts would present to disabled people, including many with [multiple sclerosis]. But instead of meaningful action, all they’re doing is kicking the can down the road and delaying an inevitable disaster.“Down the line, these cuts will still push more people into poverty and worsen people’s health.“We urge MPs not to be swayed by these last-ditch attempts to force through a harmful bill with supposed concessions. The only way to avoid a catastrophe today and in the future is to stop the cuts altogether by halting the bill in its tracks.”Starmer’s climbdown is expected to cost the Treasury around £3 billion, which chancellor Rachel Reeves will need to find in time for the Budget in the autumn.However, a spokesman for the prime minister insisted there would be no “permanent” increase in government borrowing to pay for it, but refused to deny that further tax rises could be in the offing.He said: “As ever, as is a long-standing principle, tax decisions are set out at fiscal events.”Related...'Has He Got A Grip?': Naga Munchetty Skewers Minister After Starmer's Welfare U-TurnKeir Starmer's Authority In Tatters After Humiliating U-Turn On Welfare CutsKeir Starmer Agrees Deal With Rebel Labour MPs In Huge Climbdown On Welfare Cuts

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