Sadiq Khan Joins Labour Backlash As Rebellion Against Starmer's Welfare Cuts Grows

Sadiq Khan has joined the growing Labour rebellion against Keir Starmer’s welfare cuts.

The mayor of London said the plans would mean “hardship” for thousands of disabled and vulnerable people in the capital and the government “must urgently think again”.

His dramatic intervention came as the number of Labour MPs backing a bid to scrap the cuts continued to grow.

Ministers want to slash £5 billion from the welfare budget by making it harder for people to claim personal independence payments (PIP) and cutting the sickness-related element of universal credit (UC).

Starmer has insisted that the reforms will also see more support provided to help get people off benefits and into work.

But Khan said: “I have always said that more must be done to support people to go from relying on benefits to getting back into work. It’s vital for a healthy and prosperous London.

“What we can’t do is take away the vital safety net that so many vulnerable and disabled Londoners rely upon. Having looked at the analysis of the government’s plans, the impact on London will be substantial, and for too many disabled Londoners it will destroy their financial safety net.

“The government must urgently think again. It must look again at the potential hardship these changes will force on thousands of vulnerable and disabled Londoners.”

MPs are set to vote on the government’s Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill next Tuesday.

But nearly 130 Labour MPs have now signed a rebel amendment which would block the legislation.

If it is chosen by the Speaker, and if the opposition parties decide to support it, the government would lose the vote in what would be a massive humiliation for the PM.

Despite the growing anger, Starmer insisted he would not ditch the reforms.

He said: “We were elected to change what is broken in our country.

“The welfare system is broken and that’s why we will press ahead with our reforms.”

In a desperate attempt to quell the rebellion, cabinet ministers are phoning up MPs urging them to fall into line.

But one rebel told HuffPost UK: “It’s all a bit after the fact. They have no idea how badly this is going.”