Salford MP votes against the Government's welfare reform bill

Salford MP Rebecca Long Bailey voted against Sir Keir Starmer’s Government, instead voting in favour of proposals to halt its welfare reforms.

A total of 44 Labour MPs, including two tellers, supported Rachael Maskell’s reasoned amendment, which proposed to scrap the Government’s plans to overhaul the system.

However, a Government defeat was averted, after disability minister Sir Stephen Timms offered a further concession during the Commons debate.

Sir Stephen said the Government had listened to the concerns raised, and changes to personal independence payments (Pip) would not take place until after a review of the benefit had concluded.

Ms Maskell’s amendment proposed to decline to give the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill a second reading, meaning it would have killed the Bill.

MPs voted 149 to 328, majority 179 to reject Ms Maskell’s amendment – with Salford MP Rebecca Long Bailey voting in favour of the amendment.

MPs voted also 335 to 260, majority 75, in favour of the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill, which has now cleared its first Commons hurdle.

The Salford MP was also one of 49 Labour MPs who rebelled against the Government at second reading.

During last night’s debate, Rebecca Long Bailey MP also stood in Parliament and said: “We all know the famous quote “The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members.”

“It is a litmus test for the morality and integrity of our country’s values. So, what will the passing of this bill say about our society’s values?”

Rebecca Long Bailey MP continued by stating that the United Nations has already twice reported on the conditions for disabled people in the UK.

And shared that “there were ‘grave and systematic’ violations of human rights.”

She continued: “Sadly the Bill as it stands will worsen this situation – despite concessions – still imposing brutal cuts, pushing hundreds of thousands of sick and disabled people into poverty.”

The Salford MP also spoke on the existing fear that existing claimants may feel, as added: “If their situation changes and they are reassessed they could lose everything under the new system.

“Disabled children now looking to the future with trepidation knowing that when their time comes to apply for the support that will help them live full and fruitful lives it may not be there.”

She then continued to criticise the government’s most recent actions, as Rebecca Long Bailey MP said: “The Government should have assessed the knock-on impact on Local Authorities, the NHS and the charity sector and the scope for non-payment of household debts as people pushed into poverty desperately seek help elsewhere. They haven’t.

“So, we are being asked to rush a bill through without consultation nor knowing the full picture. And that can not be right.”

Continuing to add: “And if we ignore them – If we say it’s ok to treat one group pf people as lesser than another.

“If we say that it’s ok to neglect the vulnerable, undermine their rights, dignity and push them into poverty – then honestly what will that say about the true measure of our society?”

Before finishing her speech, by saying: “So I say again “The true measure of any society is found in how it treats its most vulnerable members.”

“So, pull back from the brink now before it is too late and withdraw this bill.”