Watch: MPs pass welfare reform bill after last-minute concessions

Watch as MPs voted to pass the Labour government’s welfare bill by 335 votes to 260 in the House of Commons on Tuesday (1 July).

The bill, which would see changes made to personal independence payment (Pip) and the health-related element of universal credit, went to a crunch vote on Tuesday evening.

Sir Keir Starmer was facing the biggest rebellion of his leadership after repeated warnings from Labour MPs that the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill could push people further into poverty.

However, an amendment to kill the bill was rejected by 328 to 149, with 42 Labour MPs voting in favour.

On Monday (30 June), in a bid to convince rebel MPs to back the changes, the prime minister watered down his original welfare plans to minimise the impact on existing claimants.

However, despite the adjustments, 39 Labour MPs backed a fresh bid to crush the legislation.

Rachael Maskell, the Labour MP who tabled the latest amendment, had said “the whole Bill is unravelling before us”.

Last week, over 120 Labour MPs signed an amendment that would give them an opportunity to vote on a proposal to reject the welfare reform bill in its entirety. That amendment has since been withdrawn.