Starmer makes major concessions on welfare bill to avoid defeat in Commons
Despite the government’s large majority in the House of Commons, the scale of the internal backlash meant more concessions were made just hours before the vote.
Starmer had already softened the proposals last week following criticism from Labour MPs who said the planned cuts to disability and sickness benefits went too far. (Photo:
Vivek Mishra works as an Assistant Editor with Eastern Eye and has over 13 years of experience in journalism. His areas of interest include politics, international affairs, current events, and sports. With a background in newsroom operations and editorial planning, he has reported and edited stories on major national and global developments.
PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer avoided a parliamentary defeat on key welfare reforms on Tuesday, after agreeing to further concessions amid growing pressure from within the Labour Party.
Starmer had already softened the proposals last week following criticism from Labour MPs who said the planned cuts to disability and sickness benefits went too far.
Despite the government’s large majority in the House of Commons, the scale of the internal backlash meant more concessions were made just hours before the vote.
Cuts delayed after internal pressure
Among the latest changes was a delay to benefit cuts planned for 2026, pending a review led by social security and disability minister Stephen Timms.
The last-minute move helped the government pass the vote comfortably, with 335 MPs supporting the legislation and 260 voting against, giving a majority of 75.
However, the changes significantly weakened the original bill, which had aimed to reduce spending on the UK’s welfare system by billions of pounds. Critics dismissed the revised version as ineffective.
“This is an utter capitulation,” Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservative opposition, posted on social media.
“Labour’s welfare bill is now a TOTAL waste of time. It effectively saves £0, helps no one into work, and does NOT control spending. It's pointless.”
Reforms scaled back again
Work and Pensions Minister Liz Kendall introduced the updated bill in parliament on Monday, as new government figures estimated that an additional 150,000 people could fall into poverty due to the revised proposals.
Starmer had initially aimed to cut £5 billion from the welfare budget. After last week’s climbdown, that figure fell to £2.5 billion. Following Tuesday’s concessions, it remained unclear how much, if any, would now be saved.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who has been under pressure due to low economic growth, will need to identify alternative ways to balance the budget.
First anniversary overshadowed
The developments have coincided with the one-year anniversary of Labour returning to power after 14 years in opposition. The situation has also led to further scrutiny of Starmer’s leadership and the direction of his government.
Starmer has made a series of U-turns in recent months and has struggled to meet his government’s goal of driving economic growth.
“One year of Starmer, one year of u-turns,” Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, said on Tuesday.
On June 9, the government reversed a plan to scrap winter heating benefits for millions of pensioners, following strong criticism and resistance from Labour MPs.
A week later, Starmer announced a national inquiry into a UK child sex exploitation scandal, having earlier declined to do so.
Growing discontent within party
Although Starmer has a parliamentary majority of 165 MPs, which should allow him to pass legislation with ease, many in his party have raised concerns about his approach.
Some Labour MPs say the leadership is too focused on countering the rise of Reform UK, and argue that it is moving away from the party’s traditional centre-left values.
A YouGov poll published last week, based on responses from more than 10,000 people, showed that Labour is losing voters to both Reform UK and, on the left, to the Liberal Democrats and the Greens.
Starmer’s personal ratings have fallen since he took office, prompting speculation about whether he can reverse Labour’s decline. (Photo credit: Reuters)
Starmer to tell Labour members to stay committed to his long-term plan
Labour faces pressure from Reform UK under Nigel Farage
Opinion polls show Labour trailing Reform despite four years to next election
Leadership questions emerge as Starmer’s ratings fall
PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer will ask Labour members to stay committed to his plan for Britain when he addresses the party's annual conference in Liverpool on Tuesday.
Starmer has been in office for 14 months but is already facing pressure as Labour struggles against growing support for Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage.
In his speech, Starmer will say that Britain "stands at a fork in the road" between "renewal" under Labour and "grievance" under Reform, according to excerpts released in advance.
"It is a test. A fight for the soul of our country, every bit as big as rebuilding Britain after the war, and we must all rise to this challenge," he will tell delegates, while calling for patience.
The four-day gathering is focused on countering Reform, with Starmer aiming to sharpen his attack on the party while setting out Labour's vision.
"We need to be clear that our path, the path of renewal, it's long, it's difficult, it requires decisions that are not cost-free or easy, decisions that will not always be comfortable for our party.
"Yet at the end of this hard road there will be a new country, a fairer country, a land of dignity and respect," the 63-year-old leader is expected to say.
Labour has faced difficulties since returning to power in July last year. Opinion polls now show it behind Reform, though the next general election is four years away.
Leadership questions
Starmer’s personal ratings have fallen since he took office, prompting speculation about whether he can reverse Labour’s decline.
Andy Burnham, regional mayor, has urged Starmer to present a more left-leaning vision. Burnham has also said some lawmakers want him to stand as leader, though he would first need to return to parliament and there is no vacancy at present.
Talk has grown that poor results in local elections next May, including in Scotland and Wales, could trigger a leadership contest.
At the conference, views among Labour members were mixed.
Jacob Hamer, 18, supported Starmer’s call for patience. "The old phrase is a week is a long time in politics, but I'd say a year is a short time in government. Frankly, policies take time," he told AFP, pointing to pledges on health services and house-building.
But Jonathan Farr, 53, who has a disability, expressed frustration over the government’s handling of disability payments.
"I think people voted for change and they don't feel like they're getting it, unfortunately," he told AFP.
"I fear that come the day after the (May) elections, there will be a leadership challenge, or he'll resign, but either way, I can see something happening."
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Reeves said that while no companies had signed up yet, several business organisations support the initiative.
CHANCELLOR Rachel Reeves will offer guaranteed paid work placements to young people who have been unemployed or out of education for 18 months, with those refusing the offer facing possible loss of benefits.
She is expected to outline the plan in her speech to Labour’s annual conference in Liverpool, promising "nothing less than the abolition of long-term youth unemployment."
Reeves told the BBC that while no companies had signed up yet, several business organisations support the initiative. The scheme builds on a “youth guarantee” announced last November, which promised 18 to 21-year-olds access to apprenticeships, training, education opportunities, or help finding a job.
Under the new plan, every young person on Universal Credit for 18 months without "earning or learning" will be offered a paid placement. Those who decline without a reasonable excuse could face sanctions such as losing benefits.
The placements aim to help young people develop skills for full-time employment. Around one in eight 16 to 24-year-olds, roughly 948,000 people, are currently not in education, employment, or training.
The scheme will involve private companies, with government subsidies to cover some wages. Costs will be met from existing budgets outlined in this year’s spending review, with full details in the November Budget.
Reeves said, "We're not immune to any of those things," referring to global economic pressures. She also pledged to fund a library in every primary school in England.
The Federation of Small Businesses welcomed the announcement. Policy chair Tina McKenzie said, "Reprioritising spending from employment programmes which aren't working to this type of scheme is exactly the way to get much-needed bang for taxpayer cash."
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In her first speech as Home Secretary to the Labour conference, Mahmood will also say that migrants should achieve a high standard of English and that she intends to be a 'tough' minister. (Photo: Getty Images)
MIGRANTS wanting to settle in the UK will need to have a job, not claim benefits, and take part in community work under new plans to be set out by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood on Monday.
At present, people with family in the UK who have lived there for five years, or those who have legally stayed in the country for 10 years on any type of visa, can qualify for "indefinite leave to remain" — permanent residence.
Those meeting these requirements gain the right to live, work and study in the UK, apply for benefits, and later apply for British citizenship.
Under the new proposals, Mahmood will say that migrants must also make social security contributions, not claim benefits, have no criminal record, and volunteer in their community in order to remain in the UK.
She will outline the plan at the ruling Labour Party’s annual conference, with a consultation on the changes expected later this year, according to a party press release.
The announcement follows a pledge from the opposition Reform Party, which is leading in current national polls, to abolish "indefinite leave to remain". Reform said it would instead require migrants to reapply for visas every five years.
That plan would affect hundreds of thousands of people who already hold leave to remain status.
"These measures draw a clear dividing line between the Labour government and Reform, whose recent announcement... would force workers, who have been contributing to this country for decades, to leave their homes and families," the Labour Party statement said.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Sunday described Reform’s proposal as "racist" and warned it would "tear the country apart".
In her first speech as Home Secretary to the Labour conference, Mahmood will also say that migrants should achieve a high standard of English and that she intends to be a "tough" minister.
Immigration remains a key political issue in the UK. Mahmood will tell party members that if Labour fails to address it, "working people will turn away from us... and seek solace in the false promises" of Reform leader Nigel Farage.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is also scheduled to address the conference on Monday. She will "vow to invest in Britain's renewal" and announce plans to boost youth employment, according to a Labour press release.
(With inputs from agencies)
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ONS said population growth was fastest in England at 1.2 per cent, compared with 0.7 per cent in Scotland, 0.6 per cent in Wales and 0.4 per cent in Northern Ireland. (Photo: Getty Images)
UK population grew by 755,300 to 69.3 million in the year to mid-2024
Net international migration accounted for 98 per cent of growth
Births exceeded deaths by 16,239, but natural change was negative in Scotland and Wales
Net migration has since declined to 431,000, ONS figures show
THE UK population grew by 755,300 in the year to mid-2024, reaching an estimated 69.3 million, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This was the second-largest annual increase in more than 75 years, driven mainly by immigration.
Net international migration accounted for 98 per cent of the growth. An estimated 1,235,254 people immigrated to the UK, while 496,536 emigrated, resulting in net migration of 738,718. Births exceeded deaths by 16,239, with 662,148 births and 645,909 deaths recorded.
ONS said population growth was fastest in England at 1.2 per cent, compared with 0.7 per cent in Scotland, 0.6 per cent in Wales and 0.4 per cent in Northern Ireland. Natural change was negative in Scotland and Wales, where deaths outnumbered births. The proportion of people aged 65 and over continued to rise across the UK.
The ONS noted that net migration has since declined, with updated data showing it fell to 431,000 last year. The reduction was linked to fewer non-EU nationals arriving on work and study visas and more departures of people with study-related visas.
Nigel Henretty of the ONS said: “The UK population has increased each year since mid-1982. The rate of population increase has been higher in recent years, and the rise seen in the year to mid-2024 represents the second largest annual increase in numerical terms in over 75 years. Net international migration continues to be the main driver of this growth, continuing the long-term trend seen since the turn of the century.”
Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, said: “The Labour government are continuing the Boriswave and our lives are all getting poorer because of it. Only Reform will control our borders.”
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Incidents included kicking a young boy in the face
Nursery worker Roksana Lecka abused 21 babies across two nurseries
Abuse included kicking, pinching, and scratching children
Parents report lasting trauma and increased caution with childcare
Abuse uncovered through CCTV
Families of 21 babies in southwest London have described the “horrifying” experience of seeing CCTV footage showing their children being abused. The perpetrator, 22-year-old nursery worker Roksana Lecka, was employed at Riverside Nursery in Twickenham and Little Munchkins in Hounslow.
Incidents included kicking a young boy in the face, pinching children repeatedly, pushing babies headfirst over cots, and covering toddlers’ mouths when they cried. Several children were left with bruises and scratches, causing parents long-term concern.
Negligence and substance use
Investigations revealed that Lecka smoked cannabis before shifts and vaped near young children. Parents reported her showing “total disregard” for the safety of the children under her care. The abuse took place between October 2023 and June 2024.
Detectives discovered the pattern of abuse after she was sent home from Riverside Nursery for pinching children and appearing “flustered.” Subsequent CCTV review revealed the full scale of the assaults.
Impact on families
Parents described the trauma of watching their children suffer and the ongoing effects on their wellbeing. Several children experienced sleep problems and separation anxiety, while parents reported feeling mistrustful of childcare services.
One mother said: “I cannot get over how an adult could have done that to a child. My biggest worry is that my son will think that’s something adults do to children. It will live with me forever knowing that my son and 20 other children had to go through this.”
The closure of Riverside Nursery forced parents to find alternative childcare, often at significant financial and emotional cost.
Legal proceedings and sentencing
Lecka admitted seven counts of cruelty to a person under 16 and was convicted of a further 14 counts by a jury at Kingston Crown Court. The case highlighted the need for accountability and stricter safeguards in early years settings.
Senior crown prosecutor Gemma Burns said: “Lecka repeatedly showed exceptional cruelty in her treatment of these babies. She was placed in a position of trust and instead caused lasting harm.”
Calls for reform
Local MP Munira Wilson emphasised the importance of ensuring children’s safety in nurseries. She called for no-notice Ofsted inspections, mandatory CCTV reviews, and stronger safeguarding measures.
“Every parent should know their child is safe when left at nursery,” she said, urging immediate reforms to prevent similar tragedies.