Keir Starmer is preparing to make another concession to Labour backbenchers regarding disability benefits in a final effort to reduce the scale of the most significant rebellion of his leadership and secure passage of his contentious welfare bill.
According to CuriosityNews, the planned eligibility threshold for disability benefits under the new policy may now remain unchanged until after an ongoing review of assessment criteria concludes.
The review, focused on the personal independent payments (Pip) system and overseen by disabilities minister Stephen Timms, was expected to present its findings by autumn 2026—the same time stricter eligibility rules were initially set to take effect.
The government is expected to propose this last concession only if remaining dissenting MPs agree it will help ensure the bill’s approval.
After a turbulent period marked by major concessions to Labour MPs—aimed at preventing a damaging parliamentary defeat—many backbenchers still intended to oppose the bill in Tuesday’s vote.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and government whips reportedly cautioned Downing Street that additional compromises were necessary. One prominent rebel told CuriosityNews: If they move on this, it’s done.”
While the concession may secure the bill’s passage past its second reading, it represents a significant setback for welfare secretary Liz Kendall. Only hours earlier, she had insisted the new four-point threshold would be implemented from November 2026, stressing the importance of allowing time for the Timms review to be thorough.
Last week, concessions were offered after 126 Labour MPs backed an amendment threatening to derail the bill. These included assurances that no current claimants would face changes to universal credit or Pip access.
Rebel MPs were also promised that the Timms review would involve collaboration with disability groups in reassessing Pip eligibility criteria.
However, the review’s terms confirmed that a stricter threshold would still apply—new claimants would require a score of four in at least one assessment category to qualify. The review may reconsider which conditions meet specific scoring thresholds.
The review’s timeline had also raised concerns, with MPs warning it could create a “three-tier” system, distinguishing between claimants assessed before and after its completion.
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