Labour Whip Quits In First Frontbench Resignation Over Welfare Reforms
Labour MP Vicky Foxcroft delivers a speech in the House of Commons
3 min read
Labour MP Vicky Foxcroft has resigned as a government whip, becoming the first frontbencher to quit over controversial welfare reforms that will come to a vote on July 1.
Foxcroft, the Labour MP for Lewisham North who served as shadow minister for disabled people in opposition from 2020 to 2024, said there was "much to be proud of" in the government's 'Get Britain Working' Green Paper and accepted the need for reform.
But in a letter to Keir Starmer published on X, she added: "I absolutely understand the need to address the ever-increasing welfare bill in these difficult economic times, but I have always believed this could and should be done by supporting more disabled people into work.
"I do not believe that cuts to personal independence payment (PIP) and the health element of Universal Credit should be part of the solution.
"I have wrestled with whether I should resign or remain in the government and fight for change from within. Sadly it now seems we are not going to get the change I desperately wanted to see.
"I therefore tender my resignation as I know I will not be able to do the job that is required of me and whip – or indeed vote – for reforms which include cuts to disabled people's finances."
A government spokesperson said: “This Labour government was elected to deliver change. The broken welfare system we inherited is failing the sick and most vulnerable and holding too many young people back. It is fair and responsible to fix it.
“Our principled reforms will ensure those who can work should, that those who want to work are properly supported, and that those with most severe disabilities and health conditions are protected.”
The government is preparing for a major Labour rebellion when its package of welfare reforms is put to a House of Commons vote in less than two weeks' time.
The reforms are set out in legislation that was published on Wednesday, with Liz Kendall, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, saying that the benefits system is at a "crossroads".
"This legislation represents a new social contract and marks the moment we take the road of compassion, opportunity and dignity," Kendall said.
"This will give people peace of mind, while also fixing our broken social security system so it supports those who can work to do so while protecting those who cannot — putting welfare spending on a more sustainable path to unlock growth as part of our Plan for Change.”
The government argues that the reforms will help people get into work and put an end to unsustainable government spending on benefits.
But many Labour MPs believe that the welfare cuts go too far. The rebels are urging the government to amend its plans, particularly on two aspects – they want a full impact assessment, and to change the new eligibility requirement for the daily living component of PIP, which will mean successful applicants must score a minimum of four points on at least one daily living activity.
Government whips are urging unhappy Labour MPs to abstain on the bill as Downing Street struggles to abate the backbench rebellion, PoliticsHome understands.
Labour MPs have been warned by No 10 that voting against the government would put them on the same side as Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
More than 100 Labour MPs have signed a letter expressing concerns about the proposals.
While some MPs planning to defy the government on the vote planned for Tuesday 1 July believe that the rebellion could even be big enough to force a defeat, others believe that would be too high a number for a largely loyal Parliamentary Labour Party.
Senior No 10 figures told the Guardian earlier this week that the number of Labour MPs voting against or abstaining could be "as high as 50".
During Covid, as shadow minister for disabled people, Foxcroft talked about being part of the immunosuppressed population herself, as a result of taking methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis.
