Cliff Notes
- 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.
- The concession was announced shortly before a crucial vote, with MPs expressing concerns over the rushed process and the lack of clear documentation regarding the proposed changes.
- Conservatives, including their leader Kemi Badenoch, condemned the concession as an “utter capitulation,” labelling the welfare bill as ineffective in controlling spending and aiding employment.
Govt gives rebel Labour MPs major concession to welfare bill 90 minutes before vote
Rebel Labour MPs have been given a last-minute concession to the welfare bill, the government has announced.
In a further attempt to allay dozens of Labour MPs’ fears that the bill will be detrimental to disabled people, disabilities minister Stephen Timms told the Commons any changes to eligibility for personal independence payment (PIP) will only be made after the review he is carrying out is completed.
The Timms review is looking into PIP, the main disability benefit to help adults with the extra costs of living with a health condition or disability.
Dozens of Labour MPs had raised concerns the review will be published in autumn 2026 – the same time changes to PIP eligibility were to be made – so the findings could not be taken into account.
Mr Timms made the announcement just 90 minutes before MPs were due to vote on the bill at 7pm.
He said the clause stating PIP eligibility will be changed at the same time as the review will be removed from the bill at the committee stage, when a select group of MPs will go through the bill in detail
