Summary

  • Health Secretary Wes Streeting defends the government's welfare policy, saying "people will not thank us" if there is no reform

  • This comes after many MPs and rights group remain unhappy with the government even after its U-turn on planned cuts to benefits

  • Activist and comedian Rosie Jones criticises the government for not considering people who could become disabled in the future, as the cuts are set to affect those making claims later on

  • Shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately also challenges Labour's reform, saying it won't be able to get people into work

  • Former Labour cabinet minister Louise Haigh, however, says it is "really welcome" that Keir Starmer has "acknowledged that mistakes have been made and that things need to change"

  • This page won't provide regular text updates, but you can follow the show by clicking Watch Live at the top of the page

Live Reporting

Edited by Tinshui Yeung

  1. Health secretary says government must learn from MP rebels but insists welfare reform necessary

    Wes Streeting

    We've just had another round of Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.

    Today's focus is the government's welfare policy U-turn. Under the new plan, people already getting personal independence payments or the health element of universal credit will keep them, but cuts will hit future claimants.

    The U-turn follows a rebellion by over 120 Labour backbenchers. Health Secretary Wes Streeting says the rebels' concerns are "substantial" and the government "have to learn from that".

    But he still insists welfare reform is needed, or "people will not thank us down the line".

    Many remain unhappy after the policy change. Shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately says Labour's reform won't get people into work. Activist and comedian Rosie Jones criticises the government for not thinking about people who could become disabled in the future.

    Labour MP Louise Haigh, however, supports the U-turn, saying Prime Minister Keir Starmer now has a chance to "reset" the government's relationship with the public.

    "Subject to that detail, I will be supporting the government on Tuesday in recognition that they have made significant progress," the Labour MP says.

    We'll be watching closely as Parliament debates the welfare bill next week.

  2. Health secretary to face grilling after welfare reform U-turn

    Health Secretary Wes StreetingPA Media

    It's that time of the week - Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg is back.

    This morning, Health Secretary Wes Streeting is in the hot seat.

    This comes after the prime minister made concessions on planned welfare cuts, trying to avoid a rebellion by more than 120 Labour backbenchers.

    The government now says the cut for personal independence payments and the health element of universal credit will only affect new claimants, not those already getting the benefit.

    On Tuesday, Parliament is set to hold the second reading of the welfare bill.

    Also joining the show today are shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately, former cabinet minister Louise Haigh and Comedian and activist Rosie Jones. On the culture side, comedian Dylan Moran and actor Ralph Fiennes will be interviewed.

    We won’t be posting regular text updates during the show, but you can follow along live right here from 09:00 BST. Just click Watch live above.