Overview

• The House of Commons passed the welfare reform bill at second reading by 335 votes to 260 after Starmer made concessions to avert a parliamentary defeat.
• Concessions restrict stricter disability and sickness benefit eligibility to claimants applying after the bill’s enactment, narrowing its original scope.
• Expected annual savings have been halved from nearly £5 billion to roughly £2.5 billion by 2030 due to the amendments.
• More than 120 Labour backbenchers rebelled in the largest revolt since the party’s 2024 election victory, exposing strains on Starmer’s authority.
• A formal consultation will precede implementation as critics warn the reforms could push 150,000 more people into poverty by 2030.