I have voted against the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill.
From my experience in the Employment service, I know reform is needed. I was encouraged by the Government’s last-minute and significant concessions last week – including entirely withdrawing PIP from the Bill. Those changes showed that the Government was listening.
However, the rushed and uncertain process last week meant I felt unable to make an informed decision on such an important and consequential issue, until the detail became clearer now.
I was clear that I would reassess this Bill at Third Reading after studying the Government’s Bill in further detail. I have supported efforts and amendments to improve it. Unfortunately, I do not feel that sufficient changes have been made.
I remain deeply concerned about cuts to Universal Credit and the serious risk of pushing more people into poverty, who already face high levels of hardship. I also feel there are insufficient assurances of disabled people’s meaningful cooperation in the Timms Review, who should be central to this, and I wanted stronger protections for people with severe and long-term conditions.
Overall, I am unconvinced there are necessary protections for disabled people and worry about the impact on my most vulnerable constituents in Brent East. I am mindful that the cost of living here in London is especially high and that must be addressed and accounted for. My constituents, after contacting me, are firmly against this Bill. I must ensure their voices are heard. So, I could not support the Bill.
I am a team player and I've repeatedly offered alternative means to raise money. That includes a modest Wealth Tax of 2% on assets over £10 million, which could bring in £22bn a year. I also proposed unifying the gambling tax to 41%, estimated to bring in £2.4bn a year. And I continue to call for the recovery of all failed Covid contracts.
While the Bill has passed this latest stage, I will continue to urge the Government to protect the most vulnerable. I will continue to stand up for my constituents and push for a welfare system with Labour values at its core.