Summary

  • Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall is taking questions in the House of Commons ahead of expected cuts to the benefits system - watch live at the top of this page

  • She pledges to ensure "trust and fairness in the social security system" when she makes the announcement on Tuesday

  • The plans are facing criticism from some Labour MPs and campaign groups, with Diane Abbott saying the government should introduce a wealth tax, rather than cutting or freezing payments

  • Keir Starmer's spokesman says there are moral and economic reasons to fix the UK's "broken" welfare system

  • "Three million people are out of work for health reasons, and one in eight young people not currently in work, education or training. So we've got a duty to fix the system," he says

  • Some Labour MPs want to borrow more instead of cutting benefits - but others argue this would spook the financial markets, writes our correspondent Henry Zeffman

  1. Show a little patience, Kendall tells shadow secretarypublished at 15:44 Greenwich Mean Time

    The shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately is back with another question, she asks if Kendall has a "collective agreement" on the plans she is due to announce on Tuesday.

    "Given all the media briefings, the apprehension of disabled people and the growing number of people not working, none of us would want to see that delayed," Whately states. She claims that Kendall still doesn't have the support of her cabinet with less than 24 hours to go.

    Kendall says Whately will have to "show a little patience".

    In response to Whately, she adds: "She talks about plans - we've seen her and the shadow chancellor writing in various newspapers claiming about their plan, but there never was a plan."

    Questions to Liz Kendall in the House of Commons have just concluded, stay with us as we continue to bring you the latest updates and analysis.

  2. Reforming PIP reassessment process would relieve burden, senior Tory suggestspublished at 15:35 Greenwich Mean Time

    Former Conservative Cabinet minister Sir Jeremy Wright asks about reforming the Personal Independence Payments (PIP) reassessment process.

    He suggests that for those whose conditions are not going to improve "it would be sensible to relieve them of the burden" of that process.

    This would lead to "less distress for them, saving money in the system and allowing people who do need reassessment to be reassessed faster", he adds.

    Kendall says she agrees with a lot of what he says.

    She asks the House to be patient and look at the full proposals the government "will be putting forward imminently".

  3. Dignity and respect at heart of government plans, Kendall sayspublished at 15:26 Greenwich Mean Time

    Liz Kendall in House of CommonsImage source, UK Parliament

    Questions have now turned away from McGovern and back to Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall.

    Labour MP David Williams, referencing his constituent who was "badly let down by a flawed PIP assessment", asks what steps will be taken to ensure people are treated with fairness and dignity, and given the support they need.

    Kendall says treating people with dignity and respect is at "the heart of the government's plans".

    She adds that she regularly meets disabled people who are denied the chance of work.

    "That is what we want to put right, to make sure that the social security system is there for those who need it - not just now, but for years to come," she adds.

  4. Disabled people deserve better pathway back into work, minister sayspublished at 15:23 Greenwich Mean Time

    Labour MP Neil Duncan-Jordan, asks if McGovern will acknowledge that disabled people need more investment to help them, rather than freezes and cuts.

    "I do agree," replies Alison McGovern.

    The work and pensions minister adds: "We see potential in every single person in this country and many of those, who have been written off and left on the scrap heap, deserve a much better pathway back into work."

  5. Benefits scammers shown how to play the system, Tory MP sayspublished at 15:14 Greenwich Mean Time

    Conservative MP Lincoln Jopp says people in his Spelthorne constituency don't mind paying taxes for a safety net for the most vulnerable, but claims they "really do get annoyed when they see their taxes going to people who are scamming the benefit system".

    He asks ministers about "so-called sickfluencer sites" - where he says people are shown how to "play the benefit system".

    Alison McGovern, work and pensions minister, says the government's fraud bill is currently passing through Parliament and the issue he has raised is "at the forefront" of the relevant minister's attention.

    They will take "every step" possible to deal with issues in that area, she says.

    Alison McGovern speaks in the Commons, with MPs sitting behind herImage source, UK Parliament
  6. 'Will those unable to work see benefits cut?'published at 15:09 Greenwich Mean Time

    Liberal Democrat MP Liz Jarvis asks Labour's Stephen Timms if he can assure those who are unable to work that they won't see their benefits cut.

    Timms says he is concerned about the level of anxiety and speculation in recent weeks.

    He says that he recognises the concerns, without directly answering the question.

    He adds that the current welfare system is failing, and the government is aiming to make the system sustainable so it is around in the future.

  7. Kendall hits back at Tory legacy on youth employmentpublished at 15:02 Greenwich Mean Time

    Shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately asks Kendall why 100,000 more young people are "not in education, employment or training, since the Labour government came into power".

    Kendall responds by hitting back at the "legacy of 14 years of a Conservative government".

    "She had 14 years to solve that situation, and their record is clear - nearly one million young people not in education, employment or training - one in eight of all of our young people."

    She adds that the Conservative legacy is one her government is "determined" to change.

    Helen WhateleyImage source, UK Parliament
  8. Proper employment support included in government plans, Kendall sayspublished at 14:51 Greenwich Mean Time

    Liberal Democrat MP Max Wilkinson cites a report which he says finds that young people with disabilities face particular difficulty when trying to access work.

    He says when ministers make decisions to welfare changes, the report will be properly considered.

    "Absolutely,' Kendall says, adding that he will soon hear more about the government's plans, which will include "proper employment support".

  9. Liz Kendall takes questions in House of Commonspublished at 14:43 Greenwich Mean Time

    Liz Kendall speaks at the dispatch box in the CommonsImage source, UK Parliament

    We're now hearing from Liz Kendall, the work and pensions secretary, who is answering questions about her department in the House of Commons.

    She says there has been lots of speculation about reforms to social security, and that she wants to reassure the Commons and the public that the government will be coming forward with its proposals imminently.

    She says this is to "ensure trust and fairness in the social security system, and to ensure it is there for people who need it now and for years to come".

    We'll be bringing you the key lines from Kendall, though it is unclear whether she will answer direct questions on PIP. You can also follow along from inside the Commons by clicking Watch live at the top of this page.

  10. Who is eligible for PIP?published at 14:33 Greenwich Mean Time

    A person can claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP) if they find it difficult to do everyday tasks or get around because of disability or a long-term physical or mental health condition.

    They must have experienced these difficulties for three months before claiming and must expect them to continue for at least 9 months after claiming.

    There are two parts to PIP: a daily living component, for those who have difficulty with everyday tasks, and a daily living part, which applies to people who struggle with getting around.

    A person can be awarded one or both parts, depending on how their condition or disability affects them. This is assessed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

    A person can receive PIP at the same time as all other benefits, except the Armed Forces Independent Payment, external. A person with a job and savings can also receive the benefit.

    It is not yet known whether the changes that are expected to be announced tomorrow will change DWP's eligibility criteria, which you can read more about on their official website., external

  11. 'I'm scared about the thought of benefits being cut'published at 14:03 Greenwich Mean Time

    Victoria Park-Froud
    Journalist, BBC News

    Susan Richmond, 52, from Manchester, says she is unable to return to work as a teacher because of long Covid, which she caught while working in a primary school in 2021.

    "I am breathless and I get heart palpitations and I can’t even leave the house," she says.

    "I feel forgotten and ignored like so many others. It feels like long Covid isn’t recognised. Covid didn’t just kill people, it changed people’s lives.

    "I never thought I would be on benefits. I’m scared and sad about the thought of benefits being cut. I’m a single parent and I’m not sure how I would get by without it."

  12. Still to come: Kendall to speak in Commonspublished at 13:33 Greenwich Mean Time

    Liz Kendall, a woman with brown hair in a black coat, walks down Downing Street with a hand holding her bagImage source, Getty Images

    As we reported earlier, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall is set to answer questions about her department in the House of Commons from 14:30 GMT today.

    But don't expect any major announcements about benefits cuts - these are expected to come tomorrow instead, when the government announces its reform of the welfare system.

    You'll be able to watch Kendall speaking in our page from 14:30 GMT onwards.

  13. Cuts could impact Scottish budget, first minister warnspublished at 13:31 Greenwich Mean Time

    John Swinney talking in Scottish Parliament. He is facing the right, and is wearing a black blazer, white shirt and purple tie. On his left lapel, is a Scottish flag pin.Image source, Getty Images

    Scotland's First Minister John Swinney is urging the government to "think again" on welfare cuts, adding that he doesn't "like the look" of them based on reports.

    "I don't like the look of the speculation that I'm seeing, because I think that has the potential to have an effect on the resources that we have available to invest in social security," he tells PA news agency, explaining that he doesn't think it is the "right thing to do" to "punish" society's vulnerable with these cuts.

    "I would encourage the UK government to think again."

    While some benefits are controlled by the UK government, others fall under the responsibility of Social Security Scotland.

    In 2022, for example, the Adult Disability Payment replaced Personal Independence Payments in Scotland.

  14. 'Moral and economic case for welfare reforms' - Starmer's spokesmanpublished at 13:05 Greenwich Mean Time
    Breaking

    We've just had new comments from Keir Starmer's spokesman, who says there are both "moral" and economic reasons to change the welfare system.

    As a reminder, the government is expected to announce changes to benefits tomorrow.

    Speaking to reporters, Starmer's spokesman says: "The prime minister has been clear there is both a moral and an economic case for fixing our broken social security system that’s holding our people back, and our country back."

    The spokesman adds: "Three million people are out of work for health reasons, and one in eight young people not currently in work, education or training.

    "So we’ve got a duty to fix the system, to ensure that that safety net is always there for the most vulnerable and severely disabled, but also supports back into work, rather than leaving people written off.”

    Asked if the reforms were being carried out because of the UK’s fiscal backdrop, the spokesman replied: "No, I think when you look at the fact that we have the highest level of working-age inactivity due to ill health in western Europe, we’re the only major economy whose employment rate hasn’t recovered since the pandemic, there is a duty to fix the broken system that is letting millions of people in this country down."

  15. BBC Verify

    What is behind the trends in incapacity benefit?published at 12:28 Greenwich Mean Time

    Chart showing declining numbers of people claiming benefits

    By Ben Chu

    The number of new people claiming incapacity benefit fell in the five years from 2009-10 but has been rising in most years since 2014-15.

    Analysis by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) , externalsuggests the net falls after 2010 were due to a change in the system, which meant a larger number of reassessments of claimants who had been on benefits for some time.

    The OBR says that the reason for the net rises in claimants since 2015 is likely due to higher numbers making new claims.

    It cites a combination of factors as likely to be driving this, including further changes in the system and worsening health among the population.

    There is no consensus among other experts though: some point to the impact of the pandemic, and the rise in mental ill health, especially among younger people.

    Others place the emphasis on financial incentives in the welfare system - where people can get higher payments for being on sickness benefits than from being unemployed or in low-paid, part-time work.

  16. SNP says Labour have 'chosen to turbo-charge Tory austerity'published at 12:02 Greenwich Mean Time

    Kirsty BlackmanImage source, UK Parliament

    The opposition to any possible welfare cuts is not only from within the Labour Party.

    The SNP's Work and Pensions spokesperson at Westminster Kirsty Blackman tells the Good Morning Scotland programme the UK government should be looking elsewhere for the money.

    She says: "Labour have chosen to impose these fiscal rules. They've chosen to turbo-charge Tory austerity.

    "They're aiming that squarely at disabled people right now."

    You can read more about the government's fiscal rules and "headroom" in our earlier post from Henry Zeffman.

  17. get involved

    'At some point, you have to get some oomph back into your life'published at 11:28 Greenwich Mean Time

    A business owner in Northampton has been speaking to our colleagues on BBC 5 Live.

    He says he has suffered with mental health issues and "things should be in place for people to support that. But where is the money coming from to support that?"

    He adds: "Sometimes it's easy to say it's a mental health issue.

    "I think I've suffered with mental health and still do even today. And I think sometimes you have to try and do a lot of these things for yourself…

    "Yes, we all get bored of jobs. We all get fed up with them. But at some point, you have to have some money. At some point, you have to get some oomph back into your life and come on let's go and do this."

  18. get involved

    'If PIP is taken away, I can't work'published at 11:23 Greenwich Mean Time

    Victoria Park-Froud
    Journalist, BBC News

    We've been getting your reaction to reforms to the welfare system, which the government is expected to announce tomorrow.

    Justine Stamp, 42, from Chichester, was born with a genetic condition. She works part-time as a teacher.

    "Part of the reason for being able to work part-time is that my PIP covers a mobility car, goes towards a carer, and allows me to pay for some treatment that I can’t get on the NHS," she says.

    She says that if the government "fixed the NHS", she would be able to work more.

    "As it stands, the time and fight it takes to get diagnoses and consistent, adequate treatment means I can’t commit to more working hours as my health is not stable enough," Justine adds.

    "I currently work 14 hours a week during term time. If my PIP is to be taken away, I can’t work."

  19. Would benefits changes affect you? Get in touchpublished at 11:14 Greenwich Mean Time

    A banner reading: "Get in touch"

    Would you be affected by changes to the welfare system? Your Voice Your BBC News wants to hear from you.

    You can also get in touch in the following ways:

    We'll have the first of your comments in our next post.

  20. What is PIP?published at 11:05 Greenwich Mean Time

    As we've been reporting, ministers are looking at tightening criteria to qualify for Personal Independence Payments (PIP), one of the key disability benefits.

    PIP is intended to help with the extra living costs for people who have disabilities and long-term health conditions, such as the purchase of a wheelchair or having to take more taxis to get around. More than 3.6 million people currently claim PIP.

    It was introduced in 2013 to replace Disability Living Allowance for people of working age, with the intention it would lead to savings of £1.4bn a year relative to the previous system by reducing the number of people eligible.

    PIP was initially projected to reduce the number of claimants by 606,000 (28%) in total, yet the reform ended up saving only £100m a year by 2015.

    How much people are given depends on how difficult they find everyday tasks and getting around. The maximum weekly payment is £184.30.

    PIP is the second-largest element of the working-age welfare bill, with spending on this projected to almost double to £34bn by 2029-30.

    It had been initially reported that the government may not increase PIP payments in line with inflation for a year - but that idea could be withdrawn after Labour MPs voiced opposition.

    A bar chart showing intended and actual savings from the introduction of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in 2013. The Resolution Foundation estimates that PIP has saved £0.1 billion, having originally been intended to save £1.4 billion.