THE UK Government has offered benefit cuts rebels a significant 11th-hour concession by shelving the most controversial measure.
Changes to Personal Independence Payments (PIP) have been delayed after a last-minute compromise was offered to restive Labour MPs.
In an unusual move, Social Security Minister Stephen Timms confirmed during the debate on the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill that the Government was removing the controversial rule changes for Personal Independence Payment claimants.
Changes will only be made after he concludes his review, to be carried out with disability charities and expected next autumn, into changing eligibility thresholds.
The Government had planned to change the rules with Tuesday's vote so that new PIP claimants can only qualify for the benefit if they score at least a four in one category of the assessments of disability.
People will still need to score at least eight points across 10 categories measuring their ability to carry out daily tasks like washing themselves and dressing.
But the proposed changes have led to charges that the Government is creating a "two-tier" system, because those currently claiming PIP will keep their benefits while new claimants will be subject to tougher rules.
Critics have also said it is unfair that people with difficulties carrying out daily tasks will be disadvantaged because they struggle across the piece rather than particularly in one area.
Intervening in the debate, Timms (above) noted that Labour MPs had "raised concerns that the changes to PIP are coming ahead of the conclusions of the review of the assessment that I will be leading".
He added: "We have heard those concerns, and that is why I can announce that we are going to remove the clause five from the bill at committee, that we will move straight to the wider review, sometimes referred to as the Timms review, and only make changes to PIP eligibility activities and descriptors following that review."
Raising a point of order, Labour backbencher Andy McDonald said: "We’ve just heard that a pivotal part of this bill, clause five, is not going to be effective. So I ask the question, what are we supposed to be voting on tonight?
“Is it the bill as drawn, or another bill, because I’m confused. I think people in this chamber will need that clarification.”
Deputy Speaker Caroline Nokes said that the bill was unchanged but would be amended by cutting out the relevant clause in committee, as the minister had outlined.
Rachael Maskell (above), the de facto rebel leader who tabled a fresh wrecking amendment after the first one was pulled following a partial climbdown from No 10, said she would still be voting against the bill.
She said: "The whole bill is now unravelling and is a complete farce.
"What it won’t do is stop the suffering of disabled people, which is why we are determined to go ahead with the reasoned amendment and attempt to vote down the bill at second reading."
Fellow rebel Imran Hussain said: "What is disrespectful and continues to be disrespectful to backbenchers in particular and members on this side, is the way we are piecemeal fed things. Even at this late stage, whilst I welcome the previous concessions and I welcome the concession today, but the reality is this; for months we have been talking about this."
MPs backed the bill by 335 votes to 260. Maskell's amendment picked up support from four Scottish Labour MPs: Euan Stainbank, Irene Campbell, Tracy Gilbert and Brian Leishman.
