Labour MPs press Kendall on rollout of benefit changes

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has faced repeated questions from Labour MPs over the rollout of changes to the benefit system, as the government attempts to defuse a backbench rebellion.

As part of a U-turn last week, the government said stricter eligibility criteria for getting the personal independence payment (Pip) would only apply to those claiming after November 2026, rather than existing claimants.

It also promised a review into the assessment process in partnership with disability organisations, due to be completed by autumn 2026.

But many Labour backbenchers questioned the rationale for making changes to the qualifying criteria before the review was finished.

Kendall said any recommendations from the review - to be led by disability minister Sir Stephen Timms - would be implemented "as soon as possible" following its completion.

She added that the Timms review would not be "driven by an objective of making savings" adding: "It's about making sure that this really vital benefit is fair and fit for the future."

Pip assessments involve questions about tasks like preparing and eating food, washing and getting dressed. Each is scored from zero - for no difficulty, to 12 - for the most severe.

Under the government's proposed system, new claimants would have to score at least four points for one activity to qualify for the benefit, instead of qualifying for support across a broad range of tasks.

Debbie Abrahams, chair of the Work and Pensions Committee, said: "If this is being truly co-produced with disabled people in their organisations, the review should determine both the new process, the new points and the new descriptors, and we shouldn't predetermine it at four points."

Treasury Committee Dame Meg Hillier asked Kendall for "the rationale for settling on those four points in one category prior to the Timms review".

Another Labour MP, Sarah Owens, asked: "What is the logic of making changes to future claimants before producing the Timms review?"

Following the debate in Parliament, Labour MP Connor Naismith said the Timms review would "not be implemented ahead of the cut off point for protection under the current system" and for that reason he would not be able to support the government on the measures "without reassurance".

The government was forced into a climbdown after more than 120 Labour MPs - including Dame Meg and Abrahams - threatened to block the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payments Bill.

Ministers had hoped concessions made last week had reassured MPs, although around 50 Labour MPs are still expected to oppose the bill on Tuesday when the initial vote will take place.

It would take 83 Labour backbenchers - along with the other opposition parties - to defeat the government.

Speaking in Parliament, Kendall said she had "listened carefully" and was "making positive changes as a result".

As a result of changes to the bill, no existing claimant would be pushed into poverty, she said.

She also defended the need for the bill telling MPs that the government had inherited a system that was "failing on all fronts".

"The welfare state must be fair, both for those who need support and for taxpayers, so it is sustainable for generations to come."

The government had initially estimated its plans would save around £5bn by 2030 from the growing welfare bill. During the statement Kendall confirmed the government's concessions would cost £2.5bn by 2030.

Conservative shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately said the government had produced a "rushed and chaotic compromise" which would save £2.5bn from a £100bn bill.

She said savings could be made by increasing the number of assessments carried out face-to-face and tackling the "rising claims for common mental health problems such as anxiety and depression".

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, later confirmed her party would be voting against the bill, arguing it did not offer "serious welfare reform".

Liberal Democrat spokesman Steve Darling said the cost of the benefit system was "skyrocketing" but added: "Balancing the books on the backs of the poor is wrong-headed in the extreme."

Some MPs raised concern that a "two-tier" system would be created if the government restricted eligibility for new claimants.

Kendall defended the move arguing that the benefits system "often protects existing claimants from new rates or new rules, because lives have been built around that support, and it's often very hard for people to adjust".

Earlier in the day the government produced new modelling estimating that around 150,000 people would be pushed into poverty by 2030 as a result of the welfare cuts - lower than the 250,000 predicted before the government's U-turn.

A Downing Street spokesman said the modelling "doesn't reflect the full picture" and was "subject to uncertainty".

"What it doesn't reflect is the wider action we're taking to lift people out of poverty and raise living standards, especially through work," he added.