Chancellor Rachel Reeves was seen in tears during Prime Minister’s Questions after Labour was forced into a major U‑turn on welfare reforms, ditching planned cuts to disability benefits and abandoning a £5 billion-a-year saving target.

Starmer guts welfare reform to avert defeat in Commons | Wednesday’s newspapers
Wednesday’s newspaper front pages lead with the prime minister’s further concessions on his controversial welfare reforms. The late changes came ahead of the House of Commons vote to avoid an embarrassing defeat. The bill passed by 335 votes to 260.

The UK heatwave and Wimbledon find space on the front pages as tennis stars sizzled in the record-breaking temperatures.

The sports papers look ahead to this summer’s Women’s Euros as the Lionesses prepare to defend their crown.

Wednesday’s UK news continues to be dominated by the government’s welfare bill after ministers made last-minute concessions to avoid a possible defeat.

The bill passed by 335 votes to 260 – but 49 Labour MPs still voted against the government, while 18 others abstained.

The headlines react to the news that yesterday was the UK’s hottest day of the year so far as Britain battles a second heatwave of the summer. St James’s Park in London saw England’s hottest temperature reach 34.7C. Temperatures are set to cool down across the UK on Wednesday.

The Labour government has made major concessions on its flagship welfare reform bill in a bid to defuse an internal rebellion, particularly around Personal Independence Payment (PIP) changes.

Cliff Notes Sir Keir Starmer’s welfare bill, despite facing a significant rebellion from 49 Labour…

Rebel Labour MPs received a last-minute concession concerning the welfare bill, ensuring changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) eligibility will only follow the completion of the Timms review, due in autumn 2026.