Labour Faces Backlash Over Planned Disability Benefit Cuts

Proposed welfare reforms, including stricter criteria for disability payments, have sparked dissent among Labour MPs and disability advocates.

Labour's proposed welfare reforms could see over 600,000 people lose an average of £675 per month due to tightened eligibility for Personal Independence Payments (PIP).
The government has dropped plans to freeze PIP payments, but significant changes to eligibility criteria remain, raising concerns among MPs and advocacy groups.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting's comments on 'overdiagnosis' of mental health conditions have drawn criticism for potentially stigmatizing vulnerable individuals.
Labour MPs warn of a growing rebellion over the reforms, with some describing the measures as inconsistent with Labour values and potentially trapping people in poverty.
The reforms are driven by fiscal pressures, with projected welfare spending expected to rise to £100.7 billion by 2029-30, prompting calls for careful handling to ensure fairness and support for those in need.