Starmer's welfare U-turn doesn't go far enough, warns Scottish charity

Scotland’s leading advice charity has said Keir Starmer’s welfare U-turn “doesn’t go anywhere near far enough”.

The UK Government confirmed on Friday that it will make major concessions to backbench Labour rebels over planned benefit reforms.

The UK Government’s Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill originally wanted to cut Universal Credit health top-ups for new claims from April 2026, and scrap the Work Capability Assessment (WCA).

The reforms also vowed to review Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments and “focus PIP on those with higher needs”, while consulting on plans to delay access to the health top-up in Universal Credit until someone is aged 22.

The cuts to Universal Credit would have directly impacted benefit claimants in Scotland, while the other changes would have impacted the amount of money coming to Social Security Scotland for devolved benefits, like Adult Disability Payments, which replaced PIP for Scots.

The Scottish Government would have been responsible for making decisions about welfare and disability benefits based on its budget.

The welfare reforms sparked a major rebellion among Labour MPs at Westminster.

Ahead of a crucial vote on Tuesday, 126 backbenchers signed their names to an amendment to halt the welfare reform legislation in its tracks.

Among the rebels are nine Scottish Labour MPs.

The rebellion is large enough to wipe out Labour’s working majority in Parliament, and threatens the Prime Minister with defeat when the reforms are put to a vote.

Keir Starmer originally doubled down and vowed to press ahead with his Government’s proposed welfare changes, but on Friday, the work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall confirmed that the Government was U-turning on some of their reforms to appease the more than 120 rebels.

Under the concessions, Kendall said PIP claimants will continue to receive the benefits they currently get, as will recipients of the health element of universal credit.

She said the planned benefit cuts will only hit future claimants.

However, Citizens Advice Scotland has said the concessions are “nowhere near enough”.

“Creating a two-tier system is highly problematic. It seems the UK Government’s message is: you’re ok if you are disabled today, but good luck if you become disabled tomorrow,” spokesperson Emma Jackson said.

The charity said it also appears that none of the issues that the reforms pose for people in Scotland have been addressed – for example, guaranteeing the passporting capacity of the adult disability payment.

Without that guarantee, Ms Jackson said “huge uncertainty exists”.

“Social security is an investment in all of us that should act as both a safety net and springboard; enabling people to realise their potential and providing support during the challenges of life that any of us could experience,” Ms Jackson said.

“These reforms will rip gaping holes into the system that so many depend on. In a just and compassionate society, we cannot allow this to happen.

“We urge the UK Government to halt these reforms altogether and engage with meaningful consultation and co-design with disabled people.”

A spokesperson for Number 10 said: “We have listened to MPs who support the principle of reform but are worried about the pace of change for those already supported by the system.

“This package will preserve the social security system for those who need it by putting it on a sustainable footing, provide dignity for those unable to work, supports those who can and reduce anxiety for those currently in the system.

“Our reforms are underpinned by Labour values and our determination to deliver the change the country voted for last year.”