Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has dodged questions about the brewing rebellion to the UK Government’s welfare reforms.
Around 120 Labour MPs – including a reported 12 from Scotland – have put their names to an amendment which would block the welfare reform Bill.
But on Wednesday, Mr Sarwar refused to say if he supported the reforms or the rebellion against them.
When asked if he supports the Scottish MPs seeking to block the Bill at a live taping of the Holyrood Sources podcast in Edinburgh, the Scottish Labour leader said: “My position has been quite consistent on the welfare reforms, which is I support the principle of reform.
“We have to look at the structural challenges that exist in our welfare system, even with the changes currently being proposed.”
Mr Sarwar said there were “many positives” in the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill, but added that there were “still conversations to be had” about potential changes.
Pushed again on whether he supports the rebellion, Mr Sarwar said: “Conversations are ongoing, as you would expect.
“People are legitimately voicing their concerns, having those conversations.”
Pressed again on his view on the potential revolt, Mr Sarwar added: “We have to support the principle of reform.
“What those reforms look like has to be balanced and has to be fair.”
Mr Sarwar stressed that he believed the best way out of poverty was through work, but said those who cannot work should be supported.
The most controversial part of the plans will see the eligibility of the personal independence payment (Pip) in England and Wales be reduced in a bid to save £5 billion.
Earlier on Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner suggested that ministers were considering potential concessions to Labour MPs to stave off a rebellion.
“Those discussions are ongoing around making sure that the welfare reforms that we’re bringing in support people into work who need that, and we’re putting a huge amount of investment into doing that, but also protecting the most vulnerable,” she said in an interview with ITV’s Peston programme.
