By GB News (Politics) | Created at 2025-03-13 15:24:07 | Updated at 2025-03-14 13:25:13
22 hours ago
Sir Keir Starmer is facing outrage from Labour MPs over his controversial decision to cut billions from the rising welfare bill.
Earlier this week, the Prime Minister said the Government could not “shrug our shoulders and look away” over reforms being considered for the welfare system. The overall bill is projected to reach £70billion by 2032.
The plans will see the basic rate of Universal Credit (UC) raised to try to incentivise people to stay in the work-search group.
However, the highest level of UC, for the most disabled or ill who have been judged unable to work, will go down.
Earlier this week, the Prime Minister said the Government could not 'shrug our shoulders and look away' over reforms being considered for the welfare system
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MPs have compared Rachel Reeves to George Osborne
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It comes as all 404 Labour MPs have been called to Downing Street to attend a "welfare roundtable" to discuss the expected cuts in a bid to win over worried politicians.
A formal announcement on the ballooning welfare bill is expected in the spring statement on March 26.
Yesterday, Starmer responded to criticism over potential welfare cuts, with Richard Burgon, the Labour MP for Leeds East, asking the PM about "tough choices" ahead.
He said: "Instead of cutting benefits for disabled people, wouldn't the moral thing to do, the courageous thing to do, be to make a real tough choice and introduce a wealth tax on the very wealthiest people."
It comes as all 404 Labour MPs have been called to Downing Street to attend a 'welfare roundtable'
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The PM also responded to figures raised by John Slinger, the Labour MP for Rugby, who noted that one in eight adults are not in education, employment or training.
In response, Starmer said: “I come from a family that dealt with a disability through my mother and brother over many years, so I do understand the concerns that have been raised by him, but we inherited a system which is broken, it is indefensible, economically and morally, and we must and we will reform it.
“We will have clear principles, we will protect those who need protecting. We will also support those who can work, back to work, but Labour is the party of work, we’re also the party of equality and fairness.”
