PM says welfare vote will go ahead despite threat of Labour rebellion

Sir Keir Starmer has said a vote on welfare reforms will go ahead next week despite an unprecedented number of Labour MPs expected to rebel.

Taking questions from journalists following a speech at the NATO summit, the prime minister was asked by Sky News' political editor Beth Rigby how he can govern the country if he cannot govern his party.

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He replied: "On the question of welfare reform, we're committed to reforming our welfare system. It doesn't work. It traps people. And it has to be reformed.

"And it also has to ensure we've got a welfare system that is fit for the future. That is why there will be a vote and we will press ahead with the reforms."

Responding to other questions, he went on to insist there was a "pretty united front" among Labour MPs that the UK's welfare system needs reform.

"You won't find many Labour MPs who are not accepting that we need reform, we are absolutely on the page with them," he said.

He also said he was "very confident" he will lead the Labour Party into the next election, saying "it is really important that I lead from the front and take the long-term decisions about the future of our country".

More than 100 Labour MPs have put their names to a "reasoned amendment" that could stop the government's welfare bill in its tracks.

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The plans restrict eligibility for personal independence payment (pip), the main disability payment in England, and limit the sickness-related element of universal credit, in a bid to shave £5bn off the welfare bill by 2030.

Ministers say the reforms will help get people into work, but many MPs are worried it will push disabled people into poverty.

Existing claimants will be given a 13-week phase-out period of financial support, a move seen as a bid to head off opposition.

However, the rebels argue disabled people have not been properly consulted about the plan and say further analysis is required before making any changes.