Row over UK welfare reform plan grows as over 120 MPs call for amendment

LONDON

The UK government's plan to reform welfare policies is facing growing opposition from its own MPs as Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office is in talks with lawmakers who signed an amendment calling for the proposals to be scrapped, according to media reports on Thursday.

Despite the internal rebellion, the Labour Party still plans to move forward with a vote Tuesday on the proposed changes to the benefits system, which have drawn widespread criticism.

Downing Street confirmed it is in talks with Labour MPs about possible changes to the welfare reform bill, the BBC reported.

So far, more than 120 Labour MPs, including over 10 parliamentary committee chairs, have signed an amendment calling for the proposals to be scrapped, making an embarrassing defeat for the government possible.

The proposed legislation seeks to limit access to the Personal Independence Payment, the main disability benefit in England and Wales, and to Universal Credit — a monthly payment currently claimed by 7.5 million people to help with living costs.

If passed, the bill would cut disability- and sickness-related benefits to save £5 billion ($6.8 billion) annually by 2030, affecting an estimated 3.2 million families financially.