Labour is struggling to contain a rebellion by its own MPs over benefits cuts, the Guardian has reported.

According to a Guardian report on 17 April the government is offering MPs unhappy with the cuts the chance to abstain or even simply miss the vote altogether, without any threat of punishment.

Backbenchers claim there are now 55 MPs prepared to rebel at the vote and another 100 who are still considering their position.

The bill to introduce the 4-point rule for PIP and abolish the WCA was expected to be introduced in May, but has now slipped back to early June, giving campaigners a little more time to organise opposition.

According to a further report in the Guardian on 20 April Labour is trying to buy off rebels by offering money to reduce child poverty just before the vote.

But Labour MP Rachel Maskell, told the Guardian

“You can’t compromise with a trade-off under which you say you will take more children from poor families out of poverty by placing more disabled people into poverty. That simply cannot be right.

“The government really does need to start listening to MPs, civil society and the population at large because there is really widespread opposition to these policies.”

And another Labour MP, Neil Duncan-Jordan, who won his seat with a majority of just 18 votes but who has 5,000 constituents receiving PIP, told the paper “There is not a hierachy of need.  The whole policy is wrong. It goes without saying that if these benefits cuts go through, I will be toast in this seat.”

Duncan-Jordan is also unhappy that MPs are being asked to vote on the changes before they the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) reports on how effective they are likely to be in returning people to the workplace.  The OBR will deal with this issue in its next forecast, due in the Autumn.

More information about the effects of Labour’s policy are being uncovered by campaigners with each passing week. Such as the fact that almost nine out of ten current  PIP standard daily living awards fail the new test or that 77% of all award for arthritis and 62% of cardiovascular disease awards will fail the new test.

The more that Labour MPs can be made aware of these facts, the more they are likely to realise that what the government told them the cuts are about and what they are really about are two very different things.

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  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 1 days ago
    Because we have two parties who, over the decades, have proven themselves to be incompetent, greedy, grasping liars, it’s opened the door for farage and his loons. Makes you weep that it’s come to this
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 2 days ago
    Is there anything chance we could get some clarity on what is happening if you are on Contribution ESA in the support group? It sounds like it may become time limited 
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      · 21 hours ago
      @Laura I'm on thr same ESA cont based. I cannot find information regarding the either
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      · 1 days ago
      @Laura I’m affected by this one too, not too much has been said about it as the numbers affected are probably small but not insignificant if you are one to be affected by it.  Going by what has come out recently/how they operate, I don’t think they know themselves. Impact study? What’s one of those?
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    · 2 days ago
    If everyone in receipt of either uc, esa or pip votes this week for anyone except labour, tories or reform that sends a really clear message. I read today that Torsten bell is refusing to meet face to face with a disability group
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      · 2 days ago
      @(No) hope @(No) hope i no on pip cos i work in tesco but me brother get pip.  i voting Greens in local elections. will never vote Labour again they conned us on our votes
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 2 days ago
    I wrote to my MP (Fabian Hamilton, Labour) soon after the cuts were announced, and received a load of nothing in reply, a wall of text supporting the cuts, which looked like it was copy/pasted from Labour Party press releases. Other constituents have received exactly the same so he is just sending out the same guff to everyone without engaging with his constituents' actual circumstances.

    Local party members also voiced their opposition in a CLP meeting I believe, and he sent round a circular afterwards which was almost verbatim the same spin I received. Is there any point in sending another email to him pressing the issue? It seems he's made his mind up and it would be a waste of energy.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 days ago
      @AmyMCM I wonder how keen Hamilton will be to get your vote at the next General Election? 


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    · 6 days ago
    Had a reply from my Tory MP  today, he was very sympathetic. Here is an extract from his letter. 

    Honestly is an important guiding principle for any government and I know many people will feel let down by the lack of transparency shown by labour frontbenchers before the general election on their plans to reform welfare. I am disappointed that after the government's constant shifting of their position, the prime minister has arrogantly decided that some of their changes to benefits do not need to be consulted on. Government ministers should be aware of the anxiety they cause families when leaking discussions on welfare to the media before formally announcing detailed policy proposals in parliament. 

    The government's rushed changes are the worst of all worlds, frightening disabled people and at the same time failing to deal with the spiralling cost of welfare, which is a growing challenge for any government. It is vital we fight for this to be achieved in a fair and open way. 

    He didn't indicate if he was going to vote against the proposals but he did say he would keep my comments and concerns in mind when in discussion with ministers in the labour government. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 6 days ago
    It needs every labour Mp to publicly oppose and vote against cuts. In simply terms all Labour Mps must understand that if they support the cuts the long term affects will be catastrophic for Labours future the party will never be trusted withpp. If these cuts are supported labour Mps should know that for many of them the next time they need our votes they will not get our votes their lucrative careers as Mps will be over.
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      · 5 days ago
      @Arthur At the council elections next week, vote for anyone to help get rid of Labour council + when the MPs see  the results + that dozens of strong Labour councils are now under another party,  it will frighten the MPs + will make then question the damage Stammer is doing to the party.  Stammer is now one of the most unpopular elected PM this country has ever had.
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    · 6 days ago
    Labour MP’s were voted in so should be made to vote not abstain because “their afraid” to go against their party, or abstained votes should be awarded to against the proposed green paper because that’s what their scared to do….wimps.  Also they should have their salaries reduced for not doing their JOB.

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      · 4 days ago
      @WorkshyLayabout Exactly, well said.
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      · 5 days ago
      @CB All MPs know when the vote is, so there's no excuse for them not to be in Parliament on the day.
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      · 6 days ago
      @Disy I signed this last week and 5 friends and family have also signed. It’s an excellent letter 
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    · 7 days ago
    My mp, (Louise Hague), did actually write back to me setting out exactly why she was opposed to the benefit cuts and was well informed. Whether that will translate into her voting against remains to be seen but she seemed to understand
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 7 days ago
    Add Names of MPs who are refusing to do anything and put in L for Labour, C for Conservative, L for Libdems, R for Reform, S for SNP, P for Pyaid, D for DUC, and S for Sein Fein. 
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    · 7 days ago
    How can you redefine disability. Try living with permanent pain. You do develop workarounds but it doesn't mean you are  not still in permanent pain. I was retired on ill health grounds from local govt what am I supposed to do. Pain is my life
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    · 7 days ago
    Starmer is ‘concerned’ about the vote when it happens, so much so that dissenting MP’s will be offered the chance to abstain or be otherwise not present, and not be put in the position of having to be suspended…..effectively a bribe, so no loss of face, numbers voting against reduced.
    It remains to be seen which of those who say they are opposed have the courage of their convictions to actually vote against.
    Plainly many will put their own careers and futures ahead of principle…….
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 7 days ago
    As many have pointed out, the purpose of these cuts is to save money. Absolutely nothing is being said by these Labour high ups about taxing the rich who routinely avoid or evade paying tax.What about actually putting a wealth tax in place that can't be avoided that even some of the rich are in favour of?.

    After 14 years of Tory rule I now have a new government to despise and I'll bet the majority of the disabled people who voted for this lot did so in the hope they would treat disabled people with the care and attention that was so evidently missing for these 14 years. What a massive disappointment to get not just more of the same but even worse policies than the Tories.

    "Let's blame the unemployed and the disabled for all the ills of society" appears to be the consensus of these egotistical MPs who desire power and think they know better than the people they are supposed to represent.

    It is being suggested that MPs need educating about these cuts so that they can make informed decisions. Aren't these MPs supposed to be the top people in our society and educated to a high standard?

    As far as jobs are concerned it is the employers who decide who is fit for work in the long run and not some DWP assessor that remains at a desk anonymously feeding information into a computer, the result of which can cause a desperate person to commit suicide.

    The cry of "are there no workhouses" echoes from the past and reminds me of a quote attributed to Gandhi when he was asked “What do you think of Western civilisation?,” he replied, “I think it would be a good idea”.
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      · 2 days ago
      @A nonny mouse I dont think its even money, its ideology.
      There is a bunch of people out there now doing jobs they dont like for poor pay, and they are frustrated that some people on PIP are apparently more financially comfortable.   (I dont think they are, they just appear to be as they have learnt to live on less money), enough of these voices has hit the party leadership, so they have decided to implement policies to play to these people.
      If you look at social media, bbc comments sections, tiktok etc. they are everywhere.
      A lot of mistruths are circulating, claiming its easy to claim, its more money than it is, and people are believing it.
      Labour have a ideological point of view those working should be well off, but since they know they have no short fix for that, they instead are doing this, some ministers have even admitted on TV.
      Also we have both Reeve and Kendall, involved, who we know are both ideologically opposed to the state supporting individuals. Also is money for the child poverty bribe.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 7 days ago
    I asked my own MP , Mark Ferguson , on his Instagram account ,if he was voting against, or cowardly abstaining 
    I was hastily blocked 

    Speaks volumes about this LIEbour government 

    #Spineless 

    #Murderers 
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      · 6 days ago
      @JGS I tried to contact to contact my mp but recieved a request for my identity and address. This is nonsense and just a delaying tactic why would anyone contact a mp if they aren't your elected mp. The mp in question regularly shoved pamplhets through my door when she wanted my vote no worries of who i was then. It is obvious to me that my mp does not want to engage with the problem and probably supports it now she has her mps position. I think that many mps hope the next time they come grovelling for votes to keep their lucrative posts we are so stupid we will have forgotten their attack on us. I won't or will I ever vote for labour again I suspect any one under attack will feel the same. The Labour mps should be told to enjoy their few years as mps because as elections come around they will find they have not got our support in terms of votes to keep their lucrative positions.Back to real life for them. I hope they understand that the Labour Party is finished no one will trust them again.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 7 days ago
      @JGS
      "I was hastily blocked"

      Actions speak louder than words.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 7 days ago
    My MP for Ipswich is backing this god awfulness. I wrote to him about it and got word salad support for Labour's plans, with a smattering on insincere sympathy. We get 'em when it comes to MPs in this sorry town of mine. I'm writing back to him to pick him up on a couple of things he said. Plus, as we told by Labour about the 14 year mismanagement of the Tories, are Labour happy to likely receive full Tory support? The 14 mantra will definitely have to  be questioned if that senario rises.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 7 days ago
      @Justin@73 Justin@73 how they go get everyone into jobs? It never going to happen.
      I am not worried on me cos I work not get pip. But I am worried about me brother who on esa and pip and when they move him to universal credit its going to be weird cos they will end up closing the job centre and moving it into Bristol Royal Infirmary to keep up with me brother and trust me when he goes on universal credit it will be brilliant he will end up owing the job centre money cos he be on loads of sanctions.
      After me parents died me brother went nuts and he was in and out hospital more times than the nurses he was self harming or it was suicide attempts he was in out comas lost count the no times he tried. His gp tried counselling and deep therapy on him and it not work. since he had pip and esa and his gp help he not self harm or try suicide. I work in tesco and trust me they would never hire me brother
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 7 days ago
    Let’s unite and fight this! Weeding out the cheats, yes, but victimising disabled brothers and sisters, NO! Labour was supposed to represent us, not discard us.  DWU: Disabled & Worthy Unite!
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 7 days ago
      @Rebbie There more fraud in the DWP itself.
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      · 7 days ago
      @Frenchy Nothing to do with so called fakers or hearsay as pip is 0.4 % fraud including errors( official figures)its purely about cuts and nothing else.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 7 days ago
    I contacted my MP about this, she is, as it says on the GOVT. site :

    'The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Public Health and Prevention is a position in the Department of Health and Social Care in the Government of the United Kingdom. The role has previously been known as the Minister of State for Public Health'.

    And she couldn't care less.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 days ago
      @O
      I have the jackpot for an MP, the worst possible. :(

      LK.  She hasnt replied to a single letter on DWP policy and I got threatened by her staff twice on the phone, when I asked why they are lieing to me to justify her lack of response.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 5 days ago
      @Greg. Excellent Greg seriously these so called Mps need to know that the one day they will come grovelling for your vote so they can cling to their very lucrative self important role. But we will remember how they either supported us or didn't. Obviously those that didn't  support us while find us actively voting against them. 
      There is nothing as satisfying as seeing a previously self important very very well paid mp dash about trying to find another sham of job on the same mps income. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 7 days ago
      @O @o why you not remind you Mp you never going to vote them again and you not alone
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    · 7 days ago
    There needs to be a public rebellion over this , we need to organise a march to stand up against this , the unions need to get things going -strangely, they have been very quiet over this 
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