Starmer faces MPs' anger over major cuts to welfare
The Guardian|March 13, 2025
Exclusive PM could see huge rebellion as dozens call on No 10 to rethink
- Pippa Crerar
Starmer faces MPs' anger over major cuts to welfare

Keir Starmer could face his biggest rebellion so far with dozens of Labour MPs angry at his plans to cut billions from the rising welfare bill and threatening to vote against freezing disability benefits.

In an attempt to avoid a damaging showdown with MPs and peers, Downing Street began inviting groups of Labour backbenchers to meetings yesterday, stressing the "moral case" for a shake-up designed to get people back to work as ministers made the case for painful changes.

The Guardian understands that dozens of MPs have urged the government to think again. Many are particularly concerned that Rachel Reeves is planning to go further than the Tory chancellor George Osborne, who, despite cutting working-age benefits for four years, kept personal independence payments (Pip) rising.

Some of those in the meetings revealed that No 10 officials appeared to have been taken aback by the scale of the anger, especially from new MPs who have been unstintingly loyal.

Senior government figures have signalled in private conversations that they may still be open to change but any climbdown could leave the chancellor with a fiscal hole to fill.

Government officials believe that freezing Pip would almost certainly require a vote on primary legislation because certain benefits are protected by the Social Security Administration Act 1992, which stipulates that they should rise by the rate of inflation each year.

Given the government's large Commons majority, the chances of it failing to push through its changes to the disability benefit system are low, but some Labour MPs said they would nevertheless struggle to vote for any measures that took money away from the poorest.

この蚘事は The Guardian の March 13, 2025 版に掲茉されおいたす。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トラむアルを開始しお、䜕千もの厳遞されたプレミアム ストヌリヌ、9,000 以䞊の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしおください。

この蚘事は The Guardian の March 13, 2025 版に掲茉されおいたす。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トラむアルを開始しお、䜕千もの厳遞されたプレミアム ストヌリヌ、9,000 以䞊の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしおください。

THE GUARDIANのその他の蚘事すべお衚瀺
McIlroy insists he will walk away from golf before he is 50
The Guardian

McIlroy insists he will walk away from golf before he is 50

As Tiger Woods begins his recovery from yet another injury, Rory Mcllroy has firmly dismissed any notion of his own career stretching into his 50s.

time-read
1 min  |
March 13, 2025
Driouech's deft chip earns PSV draw but Arsenal march on
The Guardian

Driouech's deft chip earns PSV draw but Arsenal march on

On a night when Arsenal ended the game with four left-backs on the pitch, this may not have been the biggest stage of Raheem Sterling's illustrious career.

time-read
3 分  |
March 13, 2025
The Guardian

'Our aspiration is to win the tournament...that's not changed'

Luke Cowan-Dickie back in for Jamie George at hooker; Ben Curry returns at flanker, Ben Earl shifts to No 8 and Tom Willis is on the bench.

time-read
1 min  |
March 13, 2025
Formula One 'I'm a competitive guy, I like to be good at everything I do'
The Guardian

Formula One 'I'm a competitive guy, I like to be good at everything I do'

Ollie Bearman has a full-time drive in F1 with Haas at the age of 19 but has made plenty of sacrifices to get there

time-read
4 分  |
March 13, 2025
The Guardian

City watchdog drops 'name and shame' for firms under scrutiny

The UK's financial watchdog has bowed to pressure and ditched a plan to frequently \"name and shame\" companies it is investigating.

time-read
2 分  |
March 13, 2025
Poor results at Puma and Zara owner amid fears demand in US is slowing
The Guardian

Poor results at Puma and Zara owner amid fears demand in US is slowing

Unexpectedly poor results from the sports brand Puma and the fashion group Inditex, which owns Zara, have fuelled fears about slowing consumer appetite in the US amid uncertainty over Donald Trump's tariffs.

time-read
1 min  |
March 13, 2025
The Guardian

Regulators Say They Will Not Impose New Diversity Regulations on Financial Sector

The City's top two regulators have said they will not bring in new diversity and inclusion rules for financial firms because they want to avoid imposing extra \"regulatory burdens\" and costs, in the latest sign of a retreat from efforts to help underrepresented groups.

time-read
2 分  |
March 13, 2025
UK's Housing Market Slows as Stamp Duty Deadline Looms
The Guardian

UK's Housing Market Slows as Stamp Duty Deadline Looms

Momentum in the UK housing market slowed last month as confidence was dampened by a looming stamp duty deadline and concerns over stubbornly high interest rates and the world economic picture.

time-read
2 分  |
March 13, 2025
President of Ecuador allies with US mercenary for 'war on crime'
The Guardian

President of Ecuador allies with US mercenary for 'war on crime'

Ecuador's president, Daniel Noboa, has announced a \"strategic alliance\" with the Donald Trump-supporting founder of the private military firm Blackwater, supposedly to reinforce his controversial \"war\" on crime.

time-read
1 min  |
March 13, 2025
I feel utter anger Move to boycott US spreads far
The Guardian

I feel utter anger Move to boycott US spreads far

\"I feel utter anger. I cannot go on with this feeling inside. I cannot just go and play a tour of beautiful concerts,\" he said, descri# his horror at the authoritarian policies of Donald Trump.

time-read
3 分  |
March 13, 2025