Yesterday, July 1, Keir Starmer’s Labour Party debated and voted on the welfare reform bill – which originally looked to cut £4.8 billion by 2030. It included restricting spending on welfare benefits.
The proposals have long been contested among MPs, with York Central MP Rachael Maskell being one of the loudest critics.
Ms Maskell’s rebellion – and an amendment to the bill that she tabled – contributed to the government pulling back on some of the more contested provisions. Her amendment designed to halt the legislation was backed by 44 Labour MPs, and did not pass.
As MPs prepared to vote the government shelved plans to restrict eligibility for the personal independence payment (PIP), with any changes now only coming after a review of the benefit.
The Resolution Foundation’s chief executive Ruth Curtice said the concessions meant the reforms would now make no “net savings” in 2029/30.
Ms Maskell told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme – the morning after the vote – that “we need to look at those with the broader shoulders”.
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Asked what she would say to those who are worried about public finances, the York Central MP said: “As am I worried about the state of the public finances, and of course, we know what we inherited a year on, we have still got to keep our focus there.
“And that’s why I think we heard very much in the debate, including from myself, that we need to look at those with the broader shoulders, as the Prime Minister said, contributing more into our system, but never pushing down on the poorest.
“And that was what the dynamic was yesterday, that we do need to look at things like a wealth tax, £24 billion, or equalisation of capital gains tax.”
Ms Maskell added that disabled people “had their voice at the heart of parliament”.
“That’s why I put the reasoned amendment down,” she said.
She said she is “glad” the debate was “had in public” and “now disabled people should feel empowered to have their voice at long last in an ableist parliament”.
Before the vote, the York Central MP told The Press: “I have spent my life standing up for sick and disabled people, professionally and personally
“Taking someone’s independence, does not make them better, more able to work or keep people in work. It creates poverty, dependency and places more pressure on social care and the NHS.
“Disabled people have not battled all their lives to then pull the ladder up behind them.”
York Outer MP Luke Charters – who is on paternity leave – voted by proxy against Ms Maskell’s amendment to the bill. Mr Charters’ team told The Press that he will be away until the start of parliamentary recess on July 22, but has proxy voting arrangements in place.
