Ministers struggle to quell MP concerns over benefit cuts

At Prime Minister’s Questions Sir Keir Starmer declared that welfare reform was a “moral issue”, while the veteran left-wing MP Diane Abbott argued there was “nothing moral about cutting the benefits of millions of people”.

Their divisions were very publicly evident.

But most MPs who had concerns expressed them behind closed doors.

Around 100 MPs attended a briefing by Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall and minister Sir Stephen Timms.

The BBC has contacted some of those who had been worried about new restrictions to Personal Independence Payments (Pips), and Wednesday’s meeting has not neutralised their opposition.

One MP said it had raised more questions than answers.

And some felt the cuts were being made before other Labour policies which could help people into work – from cutting NHS waiting lists to growing the economy – had come to fruition.

Kendall also addressed a virtual meeting of Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee and its National Policy Forum, which was arranged at short notice.

There was little talk of morality at this meeting.

While most of those present were sympathetic to the need to fix the welfare system, attendees were more focussed on how, politically, the reforms could be sold on the doorstep.

Some left-wing and union representatives complained that they hadn’t been allowed to contribute despite indicating that they had wanted to question the work and pensions secretary.

One of those present told the BBC: “This meeting was clearly called to quell our concerns – it certainly didn’t do that.”

The changes on Pips for people with disabilities will require legislation and votes in Parliament in due course.

There is little doubt that with a large majority, the reforms will pass – but the task of preventing a rebellion in Labour’s ranks clearly requires more work.

The Conservatives haven’t decided whether to vote with the government on the changes.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has accused the government of “stirring up fear and anxiety” by failing to provide enough detail about its welfare reforms.