Starmer dismisses welfare cuts revolt as ‘noises off’ and defends his leadership – UK politics live

PM committed to reforming system' as more Labour MPs join opposition to plan to cut universal credit and Pip

Kemi Badenoch has said it would be pathetic" for Keir Starmer to postpone the vote on the UC and Pip bill. She posted this on social media, as a comment on the tweet from Kitty Donaldson. (See 11.22am.)

This is pathetic. Starmer must not pull this bill. We've offered to support him in the national interest if our reasonable conditions are met.

If he pulls the bill, it proves Labour isn't serious about fiscal responsibility. If Labour backbenchers are too scared to deliver welfare changes that make only limited savings, how can they solve bigger problems like the national debt?

There is a view forming among ministers and PPS' that the government will have to pull the welfare bill.

However, the message from the centre is very clear it will go ahead regardless of the opposition from MPs because the issue has to be forced.

There is widespread speculation in Government that No 10 will pull the entire welfare bill before the end of Wednesday, sources told The i Paper