Politics

Starmer Faces Massive Revolt as Labour MPs Vow to Block Welfare Bill

Published on June 24, 2025

More than 100 Labour MPs (some say 108) have pledged to block Sir Keir Starmer’s flagship welfare reforms by voting against giving the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill a second reading next Tuesday. That’s enough to potentially scupper the bill and even undermine the party’s majority.

The rebellion is led by Dame Meg Hillier, chair of the Treasury Committee, alongside other senior backbenchers—including ex‑whip Vicky Foxcroft—calling for the bill to be paused and reconsidered. Their amendment acknowledges that reforms are needed but warns that the Government’s own impact assessment estimates the changes could push up to 250,000 people into poverty, including 50,000 children.

“We don’t want to defeat the Government but we want the Government to think again,” Hillier told The Guardian, emphasising the lack of consultation with disabled people and insufficient impact analysis
. MPs are particularly concerned the proposed PIP reforms—tightening eligibility for the daily living component—could affect up to 800,000 claimants by 2029/30.

Becoming the biggest backbench revolt of Starmer’s time as PM, the show of dissent has caused ripples in the party. Liz Kendall, the Work and Pensions Secretary, spent Monday night trying to calm nerves, arguing cuts are “rooted in fairness” and essential to preserving the long-term safety net Chancellor Rachel Reeves, too, made clear there’ll be “no U‑turn” on pruning the benefit bill by around £4.8 billion annually.

Despite reassurances that nine in ten claimants would retain support and truly disabled people would be shielded, MPs remain unconvinced. Some are even eyeing resignation or risking the loss of the whip rather than voting through what they see as rushed and harmful cuts.

This amendment—if selected by Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle and backed by opposition MPs—could halt the bill in its tracks at its next Commons outing. Essentially, MPs want proper consultations, a full cost-benefit analysis, and time for current support-to-work programmes around UC and PIP to really bed in

With concerns over how this will affect people struggling to manage everyday tasks—issues like washing, cooking, or mobility—these MPs are pushing back hard. Suggestions that cuts could leave hundreds of thousands without vital funds have only strengthened the resolve of those in the rebel camp

Starmer faces a genuine showdown next week. With around 108 MPs signed up, plus potential support from Labour’s opposition, the Government has a real risk of defeat—unless it appeases the rebels with meaningful changes to the bill.

Angela Rayner and whips have reportedly warned rebels of consequences, but the scale of dissent speaks volumes. One senior MP told The Independent: “The sharks are circling around the prime minister,” while another described witnessing MPs’ frustration over the cuts during private meetings.

At its heart, this isn’t about refusing reform—it’s about demanding proper scrutiny. These Labour voices are saying: yes, let’s reform welfare responsibly—but not at the severe expense of the most vulnerable. The next 48 hours could determine whether this rebellion becomes the defining crisis of Starmer’s premiership—or forces meaningful change to protect those most in need.

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