Moderate Labour MPs are planning a “reasoned amendment” to oppose the government’s disability benefit cuts, which will be published as soon as tomorrow, Sky News understands.
MPs who have not yet gone public with their criticisms are being encouraged to support a delay to assess the impact of cuts to personal independence payments.
It is an attempt to force the government to water down the benefit changes, and if backed by large numbers of Labour MPs, could pose a major challenge to the legislation.
Supporters of the amendment claim as many as 80 MPs are backing it.
But Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle must select the amendment when MPs debate the legislation at second reading next week in order to halt the government’s welfare reforms.
Opponents of the changes to sickness and disability benefits say opinion among Labour MPs is hardening, with dozens said to have expressed concerns to party bosses.
The MPs are expected to say they recognise the case for social security reform to help people into work, but want a delay until both the results of a review into PIP assessments by the disability minister and the autumn OBR forecast, which will set out what the impact on employment will be, are published.
Some MPs, who have not yet spoken publicly, told Sky News the chances of the government losing the vote were “under-priced”.
It is understood that No 10 officials have told concerned MPs they would be “voting with Nigel Farage” and “will bring us all down” if they vote against the changes.
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Government’s battle over welfare reforms
Tonight, Liz Kendall told a meeting of Labour MPs that they must back the changes, saying the survival of the welfare state depended on it.
Some current PIP claimants are set to lose their benefits when they are reassessed from the end of next year.
Ms Kendall said: “There is no route to social justice based on greater benefit spending alone.
“The path to fairer society – one where everyone thrives, where people who can work get the support they need, and where we protect those who cannot – that is the path we seek to build with our reforms.
“Our plans are rooted in fairness – for those who need support and for taxpayers.
“They are about ensuring the welfare state survives, so there is always a safety net for those who need it.”
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The warfare v welfare dilemma
Among the Labour MPs who have privately expressed concerns about the reforms are some junior ministers and aides.
A party whip resigned her post last week to oppose the reforms.
The first vote on the legislation is next week, and a defeat would be a major blow to Sir Keir Starmer’s plans to cut the welfare bill, which the government say is becoming “unsustainable”.
Ms Kendall has been reassuring MPs that nine out of 10 PIP claimants will keep their benefits, and those who are most vulnerable will be protected.
