Keir Starmer Defends Welfare Reforms Facing Labour Party Backlash

The Prime Minister argues that cuts to sickness and disability benefits are necessary to fix a 'broken' system, as critics warn of devastating consequences for vulnerable groups.

Labour leader Keir Starmer has pledged to proceed with £5 billion in welfare cuts, targeting long-term sickness and disability benefits, despite opposition from within his party and advocacy groups.
Starmer described the current welfare system as 'unsustainable, indefensible, and unfair,' citing a projected rise in the working-age benefits bill to £70 billion by 2030.
The proposed reforms aim to move young people not in education, employment, or training into work and tighten eligibility for certain benefits, while increasing support for job placement programs.
Disability and poverty charities warn that the cuts could push hundreds of thousands of disabled people into poverty, undermining the government’s stated goal of reducing child poverty and improving employment outcomes.
Approximately 80 Labour MPs are reportedly opposed to the cuts, raising concerns about the potential impact on disabled individuals and families, though the party’s majority is expected to prevent a significant rebellion.