As a former employment service worker and a Minister under Gordon Brown, I know the difference a Labour Government can make - we lifted 400,000 people out of poverty. It’s a record I’m proud of.
I agree that reform of the welfare system is needed, and reform is possible when it is driven by consultation, fairness and compassion. I do agree with the principle that those who can work, should work.
That means a genuine and sufficient consultation with disabled people and disability rights organisations, alongside a transparent and thorough equality impact assessment on changes.
Labour’s values are rooted in fairness, and as a Labour MP, I am committed to ensuring that the laws we pass deliver real, lasting change for my constituents in Brent, for London, and for communities across the country.
I did not sign the reasoned amendment lightly; as team Labour we should be able to discuss this behind closed doors.
In its current form, I cannot support the Government’s proposed measures. I have called for this Bill to be paused. This is not a decision that should be rushed through Parliament without proper scrutiny and impact assessment.
The fact is, I simply cannot support cuts to Personal Independence Payment and parts of Universal Credit, which will negatively impact the most vulnerable.
There are fairer ways to restore public finances after more than a decade of Tory economic mismanagement. For example, in the Commons I urged Ministers to consider a modest 2% wealth tax on assets over £10 million—an approach that would raise significantly more than the current proposals, while placing the burden on those with the broadest shoulders.
And let’s not forget all the money we need to recover from the Covid scams where people still need to pay back millions from dodgy contracts to the public purse!
After 14 years of Conservative policies that pushed so many people into poverty, it’s time to build a system that genuinely supports those with the greatest need and help our country grow economically. We must build a society where decent employment opportunities and decent pay and conditions are normalised.
It’s time for the Labour Party to turn our values into action and rebuild a system rooted in fairness, dignity, justice, and inclusion.