Isle of Wight West Labour MP, Richard Quigley, has joined a growing rebellion within the Labour Party over proposed changes to welfare policy.
He is one of 42 Labour MPs who have publicly signed a statement saying the plans are “impossible to support”.
Mounting concern over disability benefit cuts
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer now faces the most significant internal challenge of his leadership to date, with up to a quarter of Labour’s parliamentary party raising objections to planned cuts to disability benefits.
According to internal forecasts from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the changes would affect 700,000 families already living in poverty.
Richard Quigley told OnTheWight,
“I understand that some difficult choices need to be made to fix the welfare system, but I can’t support the Government’s Green Paper without a full impact assessment.
“Cutting over £7bn without knowing the consequences could make life even harder for disabled people and therefore I must oppose the Green Paper as it stands.”
MPs call for greater transparency
Over 80 Labour MPs have also signed a private letter outlining their concerns about the scale and pace of the reforms, while dozens more have voiced objections directly to ministers.
The letter highlights that MPs are being asked to vote on the proposals without being shown the full impact of the reforms, which are due to be voted on next month.
Letter warns of serious consequences
The proposals, set out in a government green paper, have “caused a huge amount of anxiety and concern among disabled people and their families”, according to the letter.
It states,
“The planned cuts of more than £7bn represent the biggest attack on the welfare state since George Osborne ushered in the years of austerity and over 3 million of our poorest and most disadvantaged will be affected.”
Labour’s chief whip is expected to receive the letter early next week.
Thanks to all the readers who got in touch to give us the heads up.
Article edit
3.30pm 9th May 2025 – RQ comment added
Sources: The Guardian and The Times
