Downing Street’s plans to see off a major Labour welfare rebellion were in chaos on Monday night, amid continued brinkmanship between MPs and the government over the scale of the concessions.

There was significant division between government departments over how to respond to rebels’ demands – with seemingly little idea how to quell continuing anger ahead of the knife-edge vote on Tuesday.

The select committee chairs Meg Hillier, Debbie Abrahams, Sarah Owen and Helen Hayes were among MPs in the House of Commons chamber who were publicly expressing doubts that the concessions agreed last week go far enough.

One senior MP organising the Labour rebellion said a statement from Liz Kendall, the work and pensions secretary, on the promised compromises was a “disaster and raised more questions than it answered”.

Other MPs who had previously backed an amendment by Hillier said they would now back the bill at its second reading or abstain, but would vote against it after that if their questions still were not answered.

A new reasoned amendment designed to bring down the bill is thought to be backed by about 35 Labour rebels, though organisers suggested more planned to add their names. Including MPs from other parties, the amendment has 62 backers.

Reports the vote is around 7PM
today.

I'm also stunned at Steven Timms, I have always liked him but he and Liz Kendall come across really badly on this issue.
This will be a very hollow but also damaging win today if it gets voted through.

They seem to have actually made things worse with the concessions claimed to have been made.

the bill will pass. Even with all the rebels, the government still has the votes to see it through. It becomes a bigger issue, will voters continue to stick with labour

No, certainly not in the short to medium term voters will not.

What the position will be in just over 4 years time by July/August 2029.
Well, that's near impossible to predict.

Although as the years go on, this government now will have a problem with its backbenchers, if it seeks to be more incompetently confrontational on policy rather than REALLY consult as it has been in its first year.

Two Votes
due around 7PM.

Nov 2026 is now a longer delay,
for it to come into action.

To try to get this passed,

and
One Other Vote, a Labour MP against this vote.

Live In Parliament
Stephen Timms MP stated that
The 4 points on the form
is to be removed.

First Vote against the Bill.

Now taking place

149 Yes
328 No

The No Vote has Won

The Government has won this Vote.

Yes : 335

No :260

The Government has Won this Bill


With many bits removed from the Bill


Ref:SkyNewsHD Live

I'm left scratching my head at just what this bill now really is?

What a farcical afternoon in parliament, Liz Kendall performed abysmally.
Surprised at Steven Timms too, although I welcomed his removal of cause 5 on the PIP points changes.
Although again, if his review, says the points change should be done, it's back to square one from Autumn next year.

Rachael Maskells's amendment was the only sensible thing about this afternoon's debate in my view.

Great Points Joey

What a shambles. The bill designed to save the gov a big wad now won't save anything at all, might even cost them. There's barely anything left in so would have been better off pulling it and properly reconsidering their approach

PM's judgement shown to be absolutely shocking again. Thing is now they'll need to raise taxes in Autumn which will only make this gov more unpopular, might even be the end of it

They are seriously taking the pip

I didn't think anything could be worse than the Tories, but here we are :conf:

What often gets overlooked is that these are not really rebels voting against the government. This is actually people who voted labour at the last election who are deeply unhappy with what the government are doing and these people are being represented by their elected MP's. This is a much bigger problem for the government than a few rebel mp's.

Starmer will have to have a cull of his cabinet if he is to survive. I can't see Reeves or Kendal surviving this and be prepared for a lot more crap in the pipeline

It's been reported that there are 49 Rebels


Who could now
have the direction PM Starmer will take?