London Mayor Sadiq Khan has publicly opposed the government’s proposed benefit cuts for disabled people, urging ministers to "urgently think again" about the planned reforms.
The changes, aimed at saving £5 billion by 2030, would significantly impact thousands of disabled and low-income Londoners, Khan warned. According to analysis from the Greater London Authority (GLA), the reforms could result in more than £820 million in losses for Londoners, affecting around 440,000 Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants and 240,000 Universal Credit (UC) recipients.
Khan’s comments follow a growing Labour rebellion in Parliament. Around 120 Labour MPs have signed an amendment to block the changes when the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill is debated in the Commons next Tuesday. Rebel MPs include prominent London representatives such as Diane Abbott, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Florence Eshalomi, and Stella Creasy.
The proposed reforms would tighten eligibility for PIP, potentially cutting support for up to 46% of current claimants. Affected individuals could lose between £3,800 and £5,700 annually, the GLA warned. Changes to UC are expected to leave over two million people £500 a year worse off on average.
Dame Meg Hillier, Labour MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch, submitted the amendment opposing the bill. This marks the most significant internal rebellion the Labour government has faced since its landslide victory in the May 2024 general election.
Despite opposition, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer defended the reforms, calling the current welfare system "unsustainable." Speaking from the Netherlands, where he is attending a NATO summit, he said, "You either remain with a system which is broken, or we reform it to ensure it works for the future."
While Mayor Khan expressed support for getting people into employment, he stressed that removing critical financial support without offering proper protections would be disastrous. He called for enhanced employment and training support, along with strong transitional measures to shield vulnerable people during the changes.
"The government must look again at the hardship these reforms will impose on thousands of disabled and disadvantaged Londoners," Khan said. Photo by U.S. Embassy London, Wikimedia commons.