Sir Keir Starmer defiant over welfare cuts as Sir Sadiq Khan hits out at proposals

Sir Keir Starmer has reaffirmed his desire to push through controversial benefit cuts, despite growing criticism from Labour figures, including Sir Sadiq Khan.

The prime minister said there was a “clear moral case” for the reforms, which aim to slash £5bn a year from the welfare bill by 2030.

He defended the measures after more than 100 of his own MPs signed an amendment that could effectively kill off the proposed legislation.

PM warns UK must prepare for war at home 

Many Labour MPs initially indicated they would back the proposals in principle, but support has ebbed away over recent months over warnings about the impact the cuts could have on the most vulnerable.

Around 119 Labour MPs have signed a reasoned amendment to oppose the government’s proposals, which, if passed, would effectively kill the legislation.

Now, Sir Sadiq, the mayor of London, has become the most senior Labour figure to call for a “rethink” of the proposals, which he warned would “destroy [the] financial safety net” for “too many disabled Londoners”.

But speaking earlier from the NATO summit at The Hague, the prime minister said the welfare system needed reform and was “not working for anyone”.

He said the vote planned for Tuesday was not a confidence vote in his leadership, but on the need to reform the system.