Over the last few weeks, since PM Kier Stammer introduced plans to reform the welfare system under a new Welfare Bill, there has been hot debate both in an out of Parliament about what this will mean for the UK’s disabled population.
In a last-minute U-turn following immense party pressure, Labour announced that it would not be going ahead with the proposed changes to the points system for existing Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants, however new changes could potentially still have a future impact on new claimants for the benefit.
Last night (July 1), MPs were asked to cast their vote either in support or in opposition to the Welfare Bill, which passed with 335 voting in favour and 260 voting against the bill.
This comes after 127 Labour MPs signed a “reasoned amendment” in a bid to block the bill, including four from south east London.
In south east London, 11 Labour MPs voted for the bill, four of whom had signed the original “reasoned amendment”, with one Labour MP and three Conservative MPs voting against it.
MPs who voted For the Welfare Bill:
- Abena Oppong-Asare, Erith and Thamesmead
- Daniel Francis, Bexleyheath and Crayford
- Ellie Reeves, Lewisham West and East Dulwich
- Florence Eshalomi, Vauxhall and Camberwell Green
- Helen Hayes, Dulwich and West Norwood
- Janet Daby, Lewisham East
- Liam Conlon, Beckenham and Penge
- Matthew Pennycook, Greenwich and Woolwich
- Miatta Fahnbulleh, Peckham
- Neil Coyle, Bermondsey and Old Southwark
- Vicky Foxcroft, Lewisham North
MPs who signed the original “reasoned amendment”:
- Daniel Francis, Bexleyheath and Crayford
- Florence Eshalomi, Vauxhall and Camberwell Green
- Helen Hayes, Dulwich and West Norwood
- Vicky Foxcroft, Lewisham North
MPs who voted Against the Welfare Bill:
Labour MPs:
- Clive Efford, Eltham and Chislehurst
Conservative MPs:
- Gareth Bacon, Orpington
- Louie French, Old Bexley and Sidcup
- Peter Fortune, Bromley and Biggin Hill
What are the proposed changes?
The Government made a number of rapid changes in response to concerns levied by MPs on the reduction of welfare support.
As part of the latest Bill, 200,000 people in the Severe Conditions Criteria groupcthose with serious, lifelong illnesses unlikely to improve — will be exempt from future Universal Credit reassessments.
Additionally, those in receipt of the Universal Credit health element who are terminally ill or meet the severe conditions threshold will have their benefits uprated annually in line with inflation from 2026/27 to 2029/30.
One of the major changes to the bill surrounded Clause 5, which proposed changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) eligibility.
Following concerns, Clause 5 was been removed, with any alterations to PIP delayed until after a comprehensive review, which is sue to take place by Autumn 2026.
