Keir Starmer has acknowledged that the government mishandled the process surrounding its disputed welfare proposal this week and has accepted responsibility.
In an effort to address the fallout from Labour’s last-minute reversal on a key element of its welfare reforms, Starmer stated that the administration would learn from its missteps.
“We didn’t handle the process correctly. Labour MPs are deeply committed to this,” Starmer said during an interview on a BBC podcast. “Getting such matters right is important to them, and we failed in this instance.”
He continued: “We didn’t consult as we should have.”
Starmer took full accountability for the situation and reaffirmed his backing for the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, following backlash over the government’s sudden policy shift that reportedly left Reeves visibly emotional during a parliamentary session. He confirmed she would remain in her role for the upcoming election and beyond.
Reeves, already under scrutiny, faced criticism for her approach in pushing through reductions despite discontent among backbenchers. Due to the reversal, she now must address a £5bn funding gap through alternative tax adjustments or spending cuts.
Starmer dismissed claims that Reeves’s reaction in Parliament was politically motivated, stating she would serve as chancellor for a “very long time.”
The prime minister rejected assertions that the chancellor was distressed by the controversy, emphasizing that they remained aligned.
“That’s entirely untrue—it had nothing to do with politics or recent events. It was a private matter, and I won’t discuss it further,” he said.
He maintained that filling the £5bn deficit would not involve raising income tax, national insurance, or VAT for workers. “We made that pledge in our manifesto, and we’ve upheld it,” he stated.
Acknowledging recent difficulties, Starmer said his party would emerge more resilient.
“The past few days haven’t been easy—they’ve been challenging. We’ll learn from them to prevent a repeat. But we’ll come out stronger,” he said.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting expressed appreciation for the support Reeves received, describing her as a capable chancellor. He praised her resilience and leadership, asserting she would “bounce back.”
The bill cleared its second reading with a 75-vote majority earlier this week.
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