Liz Kendall confirms changes to benefits bill as criticism grows

• Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall is set to introduce "non-negotiable" protections to the Welfare Reform Bill amid growing criticism over planned benefit cuts.
• The measures aim to reduce the number of working-age individuals receiving sickness benefits, potentially saving the government £5 billion annually by the end of the decade.
• The proposals include stricter eligibility requirements for the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and reductions to the sickness-related component of Universal Credit (UC).
• Ms Kendall stated that additional protections will be added to the Bill to support the most vulnerable and help people affected by the changes, ensuring they are written into law and non-negotiable.
• Several Labour MPs have implored Ms Kendall to reconsider the plans, while charities and campaign groups warn that the reforms could push 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, into poverty.

IN FULL

Labour’s welfare cuts to be tweaked amid threat of backbench rebellion