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PIP cuts latest: 127 rebel Labour MPs, Tory offer, Starmer unmoving, Timms on TV

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Tuesday saw more Labour rebels sign the amendment which aims to kill the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill.

The total number of signatories is now 134, which includes:

  • 127 Labour MPs (including two suspended)
  • 5 DUP MPs
  • 2 independent MPs

There’s a full alphabetical list at the end of this article.

It’s also been suggested that one Labour MP has removed their name from the amendment as whips and ministers pile pressure on rebels to get back into line, though we haven’t identified which MP this might be.  Update:  one name missing from the latest list is Samantha Niblett, the Labour MP for South Derbyshire.

Tory offer to support the bill

Kemi Badenoch offered to give Tory support to the beleaguered bill, but with three conditions:

  • Reduce the cost of welfare more than this bill does
  • Get more people into work
  • Guarantee no new tax rises in the Autumn

Labour rejected the offer in what appeared to be an ugly and unprincipled episode of bartering with the lives of disabled claimants.

London mayor backs rebels

London mayor, Sadiq Khan, has called on the government to drop the bill until a proper system of support has been put in place, arguing: 

“I have always said that more must be done to support people to go from relying on benefits to getting back into work. It’s vital for a healthy and prosperous London. What we can’t do is take away the vital safety net that so many vulnerable and disabled Londoners rely upon.”

Starmer unmoving

Keir Starmer is refusing to give ground to the Labour rebels.  He told reporters yesterday “We’re pressing on with a vote on this because we need to bring about reform.”

Elsewhere, there are rumours he is considering postponing next Tuesday's vote in order to gain time to win rebels round.

Timms to face work and pensions committee

Stephen Timms, the DWP disability minister currently working on rewriting the PIP eligibility criteria, is to face questioning by the commons work and pensions committee from 9.43am today.  You can watch him on parliament tv

Full alphabetical list of the MPs who have signed the amendment

Abbott, Ms Diane

Abrahams, Debbie

Al-Hassan, Sadik

Ali, Tahir

Allin-Khan, Dr Rosena

Arthur, Dr Scott

Baker, Richard

Bance, Antonia

Barker, Paula

Barron, Lee

Beales, Danny

Beavers, Lorraine

Begum, Apsana

Betts, Mr Clive

Billington, Ms Polly

Bishop, Matt

Blake, Olivia

Brash, Mr Jonathan

Burgon, Richard

Burke, Maureen

Butler, Dawn

Byrne, Ian

Cadbury, Ruth

Campbell, Mr Gregory  (DUP)

Coleman, Ben

Collinge, Lizzi

Cooper, Andrew

Cooper, Dr Beccy

Craft, Jen

Creasy, Ms Stella

Davies, Paul

De Cordova, Marsha

Dean, Josh

Dhesi, Mr Tanmanjeet Singh

Dixon, Anna

Duffield, Rosie (Independent)

Duncan-Jordan, Neil

Easton,  Alex (Independent NI)

Eastwood, Colum

Eastwood, Sorcha

Eccles, Cat

Edwards, Lauren

Efford, Clive

Ellis, Maya

Entwistle, Kirith

Eshalomi, Florence

Evans, Chris

Fenton-Glynn, Josh

Ferguson, Patricia

Foster, Mr Paul

Foxcroft, Vicky

Francis, Daniel

Furniss, Gill

Gardner, Dr Allison

Gilbert, Tracy

Gwynne,  Andrew (Labour suspended)

Hack, Amanda

Haigh, Louise

Hall, Sarah

Hamilton, Fabian

Hamilton, Paulette

Hanna, Claire

Hayes, Helen

Hillier, Dame Meg

Hinchliff, Chris

Hume, Alison

Hurley, Patrick

Hussain, Imran

Jermy, Terry

Jogee, Adam

Johnson, Kim

Jones, Lillian

Jones, Ruth

Kelly Foy, Mary

Khan, Afzal

Lamb, Peter

Lavery, Ian

Leishman, Brian

Lewell, Emma

Lewis, Clive

Lockhart, Carla (DUP)

Long Bailey, Rebecca

Maskell, Rachael

McDonald, Andy

McDonnell, John  (Labour suspended)

McKenna, Kevin

Midgley, Anneliese

Mishra, Navendu

Mohamed, Abtisam

Morris, Grahame

Mullane, Margaret

Myer, Luke

Naish, James

Naismith, Connor

Newbury, Josh

Nichols, Charlotte

Onn, Melanie

Opher, Dr Simon

Osamor, Kate

Osborne, Kate

Owen, Sarah

Paffey, Darren

Pitcher, Lee

Platt, Jo

Quigley, Mr Richard

Qureshi, Yasmin

Ranger, Andrew

Rhodes, Martin

Ribeiro-Addy, Bell

Riddell-Carpenter, Jenny

Rimmer, Ms Marie

Robertson, Dave

Robinson, Gavin (DUP)

Rushworth, Sam

Shah, Naz

Shannon, Jim (DUP)

Smith, Cat

Sobel, Alex

Stainbank, Euan

Stewart, Elaine

Sullivan, Kirsteen

Swann, Robin

Trickett, Jon

Tufnell, Henry

Turner, Laurence

Vaughan, Tony

Webb, Chris

Western, Matt

Whittome, Nadia

Williams, David

Wilson,  Sammy (DUP)

Witherden, Steve

Yang, Yuan

Yasin, Mohammad

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  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Yorkie Bard
    · 1 hours ago
    Tell you what - I reckon that if all the contributors to these B & W pages got together to form a political party - we could not do any worse than the current labour leadership.

    In fact there is an awful lot of common sense written on these posts.

    Oh yes - and I'm sure that we wouldn't buy aircraft from Trump.


  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    rb
    · 1 hours ago
    This article analysing DWP research into disabled people in work gives interesting stats for those campaigning. B&W could do something on it maybe? https://t.co/hCeUpsGtCn 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Richard Hanson.
    · 1 hours ago
    Tory MP Edward Leigh leaks that the Tories are voting for the cuts! It seems that the Conservative Party would rather side with Starmer than let disabled, chronically ill and mentally ill people have the pittance they already get from PIP and UC, driving them into poverty, homelessness and many to an early grave. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Gingin
    · 1 hours ago
    I don’t know if I have any brain space for any more fancy words this week: ‘pusillanimous’ 😁 Are these journalists just showing off now?
    This article weighs up Starmer’s unappetising (for him) menu of options:
    https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/welfare-cuts-starmer-labour-pip-benefits-rebellion-b2776623.html


  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    D
    · 2 hours ago
    Someone already post this here but there are so many points of how these cuts could backfire on the treasury finances that not many of the media have reported on yet

  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    D
    · 2 hours ago
    Just when I thought the starmer quotes could go lower



    On a lighter note also from the guardian (John crace column):

    “Over in The Hague, Keir looked totally knackered as he gave his end-of-Nato press conference. The past year has not been kind to him. He has aged a decade in just 12 months. His eyes have deadened and he appears not to have had a good night’s sleep in weeks. Power commands its price and Starmer was paying for it as he tried to talk up the summit.”



  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    GLB
    · 2 hours ago
    https://news.sky.com/story/revealed-the-frantic-phone-calls-starmers-team-are-making-to-stop-welfare-rebellion-that-could-defeat-him-13388488

    They are getting worried, minsters ringing round the rebel mp's to take their names of the amendment or will start a leadership contest if the bill fails.
    Depending who takes the muppets place I say good idea 🙏 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Anon
    · 2 hours ago
    We still need nearly all of the Conservative MPs to vote against it, otherwise it will pass if even a small number of Tories vote for it.

    I'm sorry guys, but our futures will become very, very hard.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Mike from Gainsborough.
    · 3 hours ago
    My local MP Conservative Sir Edward Leigh has confirmed he’s voting for the cuts and that the conservative party is in favour of the cuts and then when these are passed he said they are going to pressure Starmer for wider sweeping cuts so tax can be reduced for hard working people, I kid you not! 

    So folks it looks dire for next weeks vote, the Tories are backing Starmer, shock horror. So prepare as it’s going to be desperate for all of us disabled people in the future, poverty, homelessness and many lives lost due to true blue Starmer and his friends in the Tory party, he’s obviously made a back door deal with the Tory leadership. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Gingin
      · 1 hours ago
      @Mike from Gainsborough.  ‘Prepare’? Not very helpful. Sorry, we just had great news yesterday. Things are swaying in our favour and we never thought we’d get anywhere near this position since the green paper was first published. We are doing everything we can to oppose this and that’s all we can do. Wallowing in negative predictions doesn’t help anyone. Everyone’s already aware, and has been for some time, that this is an uphill battle. But things are looking quite good now. I choose to dwell on that.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Leah
      · 2 hours ago
      @Mike from Gainsborough. Where has this been confirmed please?
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Barneyboy
    · 3 hours ago
    12 jets at just under 1 billion today and that not an issue.  But John in number 27 didn’t score 4 points so he can pay for the jets. 
    There’s no shortage of money for war toys and overseas wars that really aren’t our business. 
    Watching starmer at nato he looks a worried man. He is staring blankly into the abyss it’s like there is absolutely no heart nor soul in there. 
    Let’s hope this list continues to grow and the bill is killed and dropped. Starmer I fear is history either way but we need to be careful what we wish for we might just get it. Reform and the tories thing these l savage labour cuts haven’t went deep enough so we may get a stay if execution but I fear what’s coming down the tracks. I think we will get over this or this time but the fight will have to continue because we now they won’t stop attacking us and we must never forget what they actually tried on here and still may succeed. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Moose
      · 2 hours ago
      @Barneyboy Absolutely. Starmer is firstly a lawyer. He’s out of his depth as a PM. Every time he opens his millionaires mouth to speak about poverty I just feel sick at the inbalance between those who struggle day to day and those who are clueless in their ivory towers.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Mike from Gainsborough.
      · 3 hours ago
      @Barneyboy We are doomed, if Starmer doesn’t get us the rest will. I’ve had enough, I really have, what’s the point. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Dave Dee
    · 3 hours ago
    Another battle is against the abolishment of LCWRA/LCW and the Work Capability Assessment.

    There are people who claim LCWRA or LCW and don't have PIP or the other way around, so if someone doesn't qualify for this future PIP/Health element they will be left on the standard UC rate with possible sanctions and this would apply to disabled people who won't qualify for PIP.

    It's a recipe for disaster, a complete car crash and it will create utter chaos in Job Centres of people having meltdowns and outbursts. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      D
      · 2 hours ago
      @Dave Dee Also forcing someone to claiming both uc and pip (via a new uber benefit) instead of continuing the option of only claiming the benefit types you need could end up in some cases doubling the money paid to some individual claimants.

      As nice as one less assessment sounds the possibility of losing pip &uc at the same time is terrifying.

      Also whilst pip stays non means tested it is still hugely attractive to figure out how to earn a little money so no longer have to claim uc and can use pip award to bridge the financial gap (which would still be a financial win for the dwp) - that was my goal over the next year if health allowed however Labour leadership declaring war on disabled has forced that plan on ice as I can’t guarantee I’ll still have the pip safety in place next year. (So on a personal note these planned cuts have encouraged me to do the exact opposite of the govs intention of encouraging disabled in the workplace and has worsened my health so even if u turned some damage has already be done)
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Kevin
    · 3 hours ago
    The bill needs stopping not tweaking, the rebels Labour mp’s and all the others need to see that any of these dreadful actions will affect hundreds of thousands of the most vulnerable live in our society. It really does look like it will go through with the help from the Tories, I’m terrified Starmer is going to get all the cuts passed, my local Tory MP is voting for the cuts and believes they are needed but not harsh enough and that the conservatives are voting for the cuts now regardless of if it saves Starmer they want the cuts ASAP. It’s extremely frightening and I can’t see a way out now. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Dee
    · 3 hours ago
    Saw something interesting on twitter about Stephen Timms made by Baroness J Campbell today: 

    "Since 1971 the extra costs of disability (AA, MobA, DLA, now PIP) enabled me to access education, employment, housing . It's what enabled a career which led me to Parliament. When I met Stephen Timms MP it became obvious he is under orders. Be brave MPs you can say not this way"
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      sara
      · 2 hours ago
      @Dee Always thought that about Timms. He looks like a man who's made a pact with the devil.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    GLB
    · 3 hours ago
    Just popped into my head Richard Burton from War of the World's " Slowly  but surely they drew their plans against us"

    But let's take the muppets down and crush em'
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Matt
      · 2 hours ago
      @GLB Without Burton's fabulous narration
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Jonno
      · 2 hours ago
      @GLB Much of the Labour cabinet seems to come from Mars. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    GLB
    · 4 hours ago
    How the hell is three months a lifeline?

  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    GLB
    · 4 hours ago
    https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/cost-of-living/dwp-instantly-rejects-pip-applicants-10288991

    This is how it will be done slowly 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Slb
      · 2 hours ago
      @GLB Please don't take notice of the "Live" news websites.  They are extremely unreliable. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      John
      · 3 hours ago
      @GLB Do GPs diagnose people with mental health conditions that impact daily living to the severity (8pts for standard rate, 12pts for enhanced rate) and duration (3 months before can claim PIP and expected to last at least another 9 months, so a total of a year or more) needed for PIP to be awarded without referral to a specialist due to the severity and/or lack of improvement.

      If I had a mental health condition that severe for 3 months with a prognosis of not expected to improve in the next 9 months. I would want/expect to be referred to a specialist. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Manny
    · 5 hours ago
    Just saw something on X that there could be some compromise of creating a 3pt added to claiming descriptors ,would still stop a lot of people from claiming, but would reduce those potentially losing PIP by 50%.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      godgivemestrength
      · 2 hours ago
      @tintack There's currently one 3 point descriptor in the pip assessment:

      "Needs physical help to be able to get in or out of a bath or shower".

      Were you saying they would make another descriptor a 3 pointer, or that 3 points would replace the 4 point rule currently proposed?
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      tintack
      · 3 hours ago
      @Manny
      "Just saw something on X that there could be some compromise of creating a 3pt added to claiming descriptors ,would still stop a lot of people from claiming, but would reduce those potentially losing PIP by 50%."

      One reason I would be very surprised if they offered this is that if it would indeed reduce those losing PIP by 50% that also means literally half of the savings from the PIP descriptor changes would be wiped out. I can't see Reeves going for that, given her soulless, dead-eyed spreadsheet mentality.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Richard
      · 3 hours ago
      @tintack Those of in that position of getting LCWRA but not being eligible for PIP seem to have been forgotten about.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Anniesmum
      · 3 hours ago
      @tintack Yes you are right
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      tintack
      · 4 hours ago
      @Manny It's also worth adding that even if this proposal turns out to be real rather than just a rumour, it would do absolutely nothing for those of us who get LCWRA but not PIP and therefore stand to lose UC Health if it becomes dependent on a PIP-type assessment. We would still be thrown to the wolves, so it would be outrageous if they managed to get the bill through on the back of a concession like this.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    jeff
    · 5 hours ago
    a list of the labour MPs not on this list and who are supporting would be helpful?  then all those in their constituency can flood local Facebooks groups with the names and share their utter disgust ! as lets be frank, its digusting. also disgusting the amount of time Starmer and his ilks have let vulnerable people worry! they really do not give a toss. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Gingin
      · 4 hours ago
      @jeff Maybe the pressure would be helpful, but equally I’m aware that just because they didn’t sign the amendment doesn’t mean they support the cuts - I’ve heard there are opponents who didn’t sign…

      I’m not sure what the best thing to do is apart from we do need to keep emailing MPs, whether they’ve declared for or against, because it’s guaranteed they’ll be hearing plenty from people who are all for the cuts. And if they’re opposed they need to clearly know we appreciate it. They need to know we don’t want them to change their minds. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Anniesmum
    · 5 hours ago
    Would it actually be better for us then If they did vote on the bill instead of pulling it? 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      YogiBear
      · 2 hours ago
      @Dez Love your post Debz. Agree with everything you said. 'Liz being taken for 'walkies behind the shed' gave me a much needed chuckle. Starmer is the architect of his own downfall. If not now, it's coming down the line.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      tintack
      · 3 hours ago
      @Anniesmum
      "Would it actually be better for us then If they did vote on the bill instead of pulling it?"

      It's very hard to say, but on balance I think it might. It's too close to the vote now for them to pull any more concessions out of the hat - at least not with any credibility - and as things stand it looks likely they will lose. 

      If they pull the vote then they will probably try again in the autumn. They would no doubt try to buy off enough rebels in the meantime with "concessions" that would still leave hundreds of thousands of people in dire trouble. There is obviously a risk that could work, which is why, if the vote is delayed, we have to keep up the pressure on Labour MPs not to be taken in by whatever the government tries. It is also true that the detailed impact assessments should be available by the time of an autumn vote, which should make it harder for them to win a vote. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Jonno
      · 3 hours ago
      @Anniesmum That would mean the Tories would need to vote against and I really don't think they will, though I hope I'm wrong if it does go to a vote.

      I think the best we can hope for right now is the vote to be postponed and not brought back until after the summer recess. 

      This will give time for all the impact assessments to be completed, which in my opinion will only crystallise and harden opposition to these plans, especially if the plans for a Labour Mark 2 are steaming ahead. 

      I know that means months more of worry and uncertainty but much better to be worried and hopeful than have no hope at all and that's my fear about the vote next week. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Neil Cook
      · 4 hours ago
      @Anniesmum Hopefully they'll lose spectacularly 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Dez
      · 5 hours ago
      @Anniesmum I suspect it getting voted down would be far more damaging to Starmer and especially to Kendall. There's talk that her job is on the line since all of this is all her scheme and if it fails to get through Parliament, she could be looking at being taken for walkies behind the shed. After all, there needs to be a scapegoat to take the fall for these things.

      Hope Timms goes along with her, personally. 

      Pulling the bill would at least give them some headroom to quell a rebellion and get some semblance of it through but as to what semblance, I have no idea. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    SevenBees
    · 5 hours ago
    Anyone from a position of authority should not be a prime minister except in war times. Starmer used to give orders according to law and it does not go this way in politics. I have noticed that when he suspended Jeremy Corbyn and the other mps who voted to lift two child benefits cap. Fortunately, a lot of MPs are feeling the same nowadays. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Alex
      · 3 hours ago
      @SevenBees Yes, the way Starmer operates is not a democracy, it's called a dictatorship.  Vote with me or I'll boot you from the party!

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