Rebel Labour MP Slams Keir Starmer's 'Dickensian' Welfare Cuts In Emotional Commons Speech

Rachel Maskell in the Commons.A Labour MP has slammed her own party’s “Dickensian” plans to cut welfare.In an emotional Commons speech, Rachel Maskell said the policy was “far from what this Labour Party is for”.The York Central MP has tabled a so-called “reasoned amendment” urging MPs to vote down the government’s plans, and dozens of Labour backbenchers are planning to back it.Under the welfare reforms, eligibility for personal independence payments (PIP) will be restricted, while the health element of universal credit will be reduced.Ministers have already watered down their original proposals, which were due to cut the welfare budget by £5 billion, after more than 120 Labour MPs vowed to vote against them.But dozens are still expected to rebel against the new-look measures, prompting Labour bosses to offer fresh concessions in an attempt to avoid a humiliating defeat.Maskell said: “These Dickensian cuts belong to a different era and a different party.“They are far from what this Labour Party is for, a party to protect the poor, as is my purpose, for I am my brother’s keeper, these are my constituents, my neighbours, my community, my responsibility, and I cannot cross by on the other side for one, let alone for the 150,000 who will be pushed further into poverty.”Labour MP Rachael Maskell appears close to tears as she 'pleads' with the government to abandon planned welfare cuts 'These Dickensian cuts belong to a different era and a different party', she said pic.twitter.com/MaHj8gVPxU— ITVPolitics (@ITVNewsPolitics) July 1, 2025Another Labour rebel, Debbie Abrahams, described the government’s plans as “a dog’s breakfast”.Dan Carden, the Labour MP for Liverpool Walton, said: “I have been frustrated that ministers have continued to say that this bill is rooted in fairness.“Its origins came about, as far as my recollection goes, as a £5bn cut from the Treasury, and I think that has marred the whole situation moving forward, and the political mess that it has unleashed is the result of a lack of a clear purpose.”Related...Labour's 'Botched' Welfare Reforms Fail 1 Key Test, Ex-Bank Of England Economist ClaimsKeir Starmer Braced For Biggest Labour Rebellion Of His Time As PM Over Welfare CutsLabour's Welfare Reforms Will Push 150,000 Into Poverty, Government Admits

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