A Labour MP has damaged ranks over the federal government’s £5bn profit cuts, saying they may have a “devastating” affect on coastal communities like his.
Chris Webb, the newly elected MP for Blackpool South, stated the measures introduced by the work and pensions secretary on Tuesday had been “not what any of us stood on in the manifesto”.
Politics dwell: Has shine come off Labour?
Mr Webb, who’s the primary of Labour’s new 2024 MPs to publicly criticise the reforms, stated he was involved they’d been “rushed” to coincide with the timing of subsequent week’s spring assertion – echoing criticism from Tory shadow chancellor Mel Stride.
And he warned Liz Kendall’s welfare modifications – particularly the tightening of the eligibility standards for one of many primary varieties of profit, private independence funds (PIP) – might push extra kids beneath the breadline.
“This is a devastating blow for people already using food banks, already waiting for mental health support,” he stated.
“And in places like these coastal towns that have been forgotten these past 14 years, there just isn’t the jobs to get these people back into work.”
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
10:45
Govt ‘rushed’ welfare reforms
Claimants in limbo till spring assertion
Addressing MPs within the Commons yesterday, Ms Kendall stated the federal government wouldn’t freeze PIP, as stories had beforehand instructed, however would tighten the eligibility standards.
It is unclear how many individuals shall be impacted, with the Workplace for Finances Accountability’s full costings report not due till the spring assertion on 26 March.
Ministers have stated in addition to offering much-needed financial savings, there’s a ethical case for cuts, as one in eight younger persons are not in schooling, coaching, or employment.
However Mr Webb stated with out the mandatory psychological well being help, it might be tough for younger individuals to search out the employment they’re being inspired to take up – with ready lists reaching between 18 months and two years.
He additionally argued jobs had been prioritised within the South East and Manchester, with “nothing for coastal communities”.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
3:06
Advantages cuts defined
‘This may make individuals worse off’
Whereas Mr Webb stated he understood the necessity to make financial savings, he believed this may very well be completed by way of different means.
He instructed a wealth tax, and following Germany in approving a change to constitutional borrowing guidelines to permit rather more defence spending.
“If you’re saying a young person needs to get to work, I don’t see a plan where that mental support will increase in time,” he stated.
“These changes aren’t going to be enacted until 2028/29, so there may be a plan alongside this to do it – but at the minute, I’m not convinced by that, and this will make people in my constituency worse off.
“If I am to help these measures, I have to see a transparent technique in order that I can inform my constituents, my pals, my neighbours, and household – there’s something coming.”
