Commons leader Lucy Powell has confirmed a crunch vote on the Government’s welfare bill will go ahead on Tuesday depite the threat of a rebellion. She urged colleagues to vote for its second reading on the “principles of welfare reform”.
Ms Powell insisted “extensive and thorough” debate would follow as the bill comes through parliament later. The senior Labour MP said: “We will consider to engage with colleagues across the House and stakeholders… it has to be compassionate, considered and there for the long term for those who need it the most.”
Sir Keir Starmer could face a no-confidence vote if his upcoming welfare Bill is rejected by Parliament, a former work and pensions secretary has warned. Lord Blunkett told LBC’s Andrew Marr: “If they lost it, they’d have to go for a vote of confidence, I think.”
The Prime Minister could then be forced into a u-turn in a humiliating blow to his leadership.
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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is scrambling to quell a backbench rebellion over his reforms.
Downing Street insiders said talks were taking place with Labour MPs about the legislation after 126 of them publicly backed a move to block the legislation.
The first vote on the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill is due to take place on Tuesday and a concerted effort has been launched by ministers to win round potential rebels.
A No 10 source said: “The broken welfare system is failing the most vulnerable and holding too many people back.
“It’s fair and responsible to fix it. There is broad consensus across the party on this.”
The source insisted the reforms were “underpinned by… Labour values”.
They said: “Delivering fundamental change is not easy, and we all want to get it right, so of course we’re talking to colleagues about the Bill and the changes it will bring, we want to start delivering this together on Tuesday.”