Keir Starmer faced a brutal grilling at Prime Minister’s Questions after announcing £5 billion in welfare cuts.
Colum Eastwood, an MP from the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), didn’t hold back. He accused Starmer of failing the very people Labour promised to protect — and questioned why voters even bothered to ditch the Tories.
‘What Was the Point of Dumping the Tories?’
Eastwood shared the story of a disabled woman in his constituency who now faces losing all her benefits under Labour’s new system.
“A lady came to see me recently who needed help. She has a disability. Her children have to help her cut up her food, help her wash, and supervise her in the toilet.”
He explained that, under the Tory welfare system, she qualified for Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
“Under the prime minister’s new proposed system, she will get zero – nothing.”
Then came the knockout punch:
“After 14 years of the Tory government – and many of us wanting to see the back of them – can the prime minister answer one question? What was the point of dumping the Tories if Labour are going to do this?”
Starmer Defends the Cuts
Starmer insisted that reforming the system was necessary, even though he understood the human cost.
“I’ve lived with the impact of disability in my family through my mother and brother all my life. I do understand the human impact of this.”
However, he argued that the current system is both “morally and economically indefensible.”
“We are proceeding on three principles:
- If you can work, you should work.
- If you need help getting into work, the state should support you – not hold you back.
- If you can’t work, you must be supported and protected.”
Starmer maintained that doing nothing wasn’t an option.
Backlash Over the Reforms
Labour’s welfare overhaul, designed to save £5bn annually, has already sparked backlash from charities, unions, and Labour’s own backbenchers.
Critics argue that tightening PIP eligibility could push more disabled people into poverty. Meanwhile, opposition parties have accused Labour of simply “picking up where the Tories left off.”
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