Keir Starmer warned not less than 80 Labour MPs may lose their seats as their majorities are smaller than the variety of constituents who’re set to have their incapacity advantages reduce
Sir Keir Starmer is being warned at least 80 Labour MPs are at risk of losing their seats over the Government’s welfare cuts.
Those opposed to the squeeze on benefits are using an analysis of data to highlight the ‘real electoral risk’ of the Prime Minister’s actions.
The analysis suggests there are more than 80 Labour MPs with a majority smaller than the number of disabled people in their seats who might see their benefits cut.
They include Health Secretary Wes Streeting, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, safeguarding minister Jess Phillips, and education minister Nia Griffith.
The data, from the Disability Poverty Campaign Group, is being shared between MPs as Sir Keir faces a mounting revolt over welfare cuts, The Guardian reported.
Last month, ministers set out their plans to narrow access to disability and incapacity benefits in a bid to tackle Britain’s ballooning welfare bill.
The Government’s own analysis, carried out by the Department for Work and Pensions, found that 3.2million families will be worse off due to the welfare changes.
Left-wing MPs were outraged by the cuts and warned they would cause increased levels of poverty across Britain.
Sir Keir Starmer is being warned at least 80 Labour MPs are at risk of losing their seats over the Government’s welfare cuts
Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood are among Labour MPs with a majority smaller than the number of people in their seats who might see their benefits cut
Sir Keir has been told he faces a sizeable rebellion among Labour MPs when the House of Commons votes on the measures in the coming weeks.
Andy McDonald, Labour MP for Middlesbrough and Thornaby East and a former shadow employment minister, is among those to have been sent the Disability Poverty Campaign Group data.
He said: ‘The Government’s welfare reforms disproportionately hit constituents who can least afford it and that is particularly so in the constituencies of many Labour MPs. It poses a real electoral risk.
‘We know people on low incomes spend the money they take home in their local communities, so this policy is sucking money out of our local towns.
‘The Government should prioritise its anti-poverty strategy before rushing decisions to reform welfare which harm those in need.’
Neil Duncan-Jordan, the Labour MP for Poole, said: ‘It is quite clear from the recent polling by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation that the majority of people who voted Labour in 2024 believe the proposed changes to disability benefits are wrong.
‘It’s not only morally wrong to target the poor, it’s also electorally foolish. The Government needs to withdraw the green paper and go back to the drawing board.’
The data showed even some Labour MPs with healthy majorities could be at risk.
In Easington, where Grahame Morris has a majority of more than 6,000 votes over Reform UK, there are more than 12,600 Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants.
In Huddersfield, Harpreet Uppal has a majority of more than 4,500 over the Greens, but there are 9,387 PIP claimants.
The Government has promised a £1billion employment support package to help more disabled people into work and additional support for those disabled people who have no prospect of ever working.
A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson said: ‘We have been clear that protecting people in need is a principle we will never compromise on.
‘Our reforms will unlock work for sick and disabled people who can and want to be in employment… ensuring they are supported to live with dignity and independence, whilst making sure that everyone who can realise the benefits of work is expected and supported to do so.’
