Keir Starmer Dismisses Labour Welfare Cuts Rebellion as 'Noises Off'

Keir Starmer has downplayed growing discontent within Labour over his proposed welfare reforms, dismissing the criticism as mere “noises off” and asserting that his party remains largely “united” on the need for change.

The prime minister is confronting the most significant rebellion of his leadership, with over 120 MPs backing an amendment that could see them oppose the welfare bill in Tuesday’s vote—led by influential select committee chairs and previously loyal Labour members.

Some ministers have told The Guardian they doubt the government can proceed with the legislation amid such internal opposition. Nevertheless, senior officials from both No 10 and the Department for Work and Pensions maintain the bill will still go to a vote on Tuesday.

Speaking at the Nato summit in The Hague, Starmer brushed aside claims that he lacks political intuition, pointing instead to Labour’s sweeping general election victory as evidence of sound judgment.

When asked if he had misjudged his MPs' sentiment on welfare reform, Keir Starmer dismissed the suggestion, saying similar claims had been made before and proven wrong. “I know how to read the room and focus on delivering the change this country needs,” he said.

“We now have a strong Labour government with a commanding majority to fulfil our manifesto promises. That’s the result of years of hard work to win the election. Now begins the next phase—years of work to transform the country. We’ve already changed the party; now it’s time to change the nation.”

He acknowledged the dissent but remained unfazed: “Is it challenging? Are there critics and background noise? Of course—there always have been and always will be. But what matters is staying focused on the change we want to achieve.”

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner confirmed that the government still intends to hold the Commons vote on the bill next Tuesday.

Cabinet ministers, including Angela Rayner, have been privately urging MPs to withdraw their backing for a reasoned amendment that could effectively block the bill if approved. As of Wednesday, several MPs indicated that more names were likely to join the list of dissenters by the end of the day.

Rayner defended the proposed welfare reforms, highlighting a £1 billion investment in personalised employment support and a commitment to end repeated assessments for people with severe disabilities. She presented the bill as part of a shift toward a “modern, fair, and compassionate” welfare system.

The legislation, which focuses on reforming Personal Independence Payments (PIP), has become a significant early challenge to Starmer’s leadership.

Prominent Labour figures, including London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Treasury select committee chair Meg Hillier, have spoken out against the party’s proposed benefit cuts, warning that the plans risk resembling past austerity measures.

In response, Keir Starmer defended the reforms, describing them as essential to creating a “fairer and more efficient” welfare system and maintaining they align fully with Labour’s election mandate.

He argued that Labour is best placed to lead welfare reform. “It should be a Labour government that reforms the welfare system,” he said.

“If the system isn’t serving the people who rely on it—and it isn’t—then it’s up to Labour to fix it for the future. Just as a previous Labour government built the welfare state, this Labour government must now ensure it remains sustainable going forward.

“We created the NHS, and now it’s our responsibility to make sure it’s future-proof. The same applies to welfare. That’s a progressive stance, it’s a Labour stance, and it’s the right one.”