Work and Pensions Committee chair Debbie Abrahams told Keir Starmer that the original benefit cuts were ‘far removed’ from traditional Labour values of fairness and social justice
Keir Starmer was confronted by a senior Labour MP, who said the Government’s plans to slash disability benefits left her “ashamed”.
In a tense exchange, Work and Pensions Committee chair Debbie Abrahams said the original plans were “far removed” from traditional Labour values of fairness and social justice, as well as compassion and common decency”.
And she pressed the PM on what he would like to say to the disabled people plunged into “fear and anxiety” before the Government watered down its plans.
Ms Abrahams was among the Labour rebels who forced a climbdown on the legislation, which meant proposed cuts to Personal Independence Payments (PIP) were shelved until next year.
The clash came as Mr Starmer was grilled by the Commons Liaison Committee ahead of the summer recess – with child poverty and international affairs topping the agenda.
DWP boss Liz Kendall in clash over benefit cuts – ‘why did you ignore disabled people’
Ms Abrahams told the PM: “This was poor legislation. It was designed to save money for the Treasury by cutting support to sick and disabled people.
“It was so far removed from Labour values of fairness and social justice, let alone compassion and common decency, I have to say I felt ashamed.”
Asked what values would drive the Government’s reforms, Mr Starmer replied: “I think this is a really important Labour value.
“I think the fact that nearly 1 million young people are out of work, not earning or learning, is a huge challenge for our country. None of us should be accepting of a system like that, it is broken and needs to be mended.”
He added: “We do need to reform the system and we should take that on as a Labour argument in my view.”
Ms Abrahams replied: “Everybody agrees that reform needs to happen. It is a broken system… reform does not mean cuts to household incomes for already struggling households.
“We must do better Prime Minister. You mentioned about reducing poverty. This has the potential of actually increasing it.”
Earlier, the PM told MPs that “tackling poverty and breaking down barriers” was at the heart of his agenda.
He said: “I want people to feel better off and there has to be a central focus on living standards. I want them to feel – as they will – that the health service is working much better, is there for them and their families in a way that it hasn’t been for many years.
“And I want them to feel safe and secure, both in their immediate neighbourhood and as a country, both our borders and national security and defence. So, they’re the three things that I’m focused on more than anything else.”
Mr Starmer also restated his commitment to driving down child poverty levels. He said: “I’m very proud of the fact that the last Labour government drove down poverty, and I’m determined this Government is going to as well.”
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