Ahead of Tuesday's vote, ministers had already watered down their plans once by reversing some cuts to universal credit and protecting current Pip claimants from stricter eligibility rules. However some Labour MPs were still concerned the new criteria for claiming Pip would come into force before the recommendations of a review could be implemented.

By Andrew MacAskill and Elizabeth Piper LONDON (Reuters) -British lawmakers gave their initial approval to Prime Minister Keir Starmer's plans to cut disability benefits on Tuesday, after a rebellion in his Labour Party forced the government to abandon a key reform at least for now.

Amid fears of imminent defeat, Starmer authorised a last-minute climbdown. Experts said the emasculated bill, which passed a parliamentary vote on Tuesday evening, could even lose the government money overall after it was initially intended to generate net savings of £5bn.

UK finance minister Rachel Reeves appears visibly upset a day after making welfare bill concessions:: London, England:: July 2, 2025:: Prime Minister Keir Starmer's press secretary later told reporters that Reeves has his full backingReeves was sitting beside Starmer during the weekly prime minister's questions,

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday said that finance minister Rachel Reeves would remain in her role for “a very long time to come” after she appeared visibly upset in parliament as rumours swirled around her future.