We’ve got the right balance says Keir Starmer, after benefits U-turn

Sir Keir Starmer has said his welfare reforms strike “the right balance” after making concessions to his own backbench MPs.

The government’s initial plans, aimed at bringing down the welfare bill, would have made it harder for people to claim personal independence payment (Pip), a benefit paid to 3.7 million people with long-term physical or mental health conditions.

However, faced with a growing rebellion from Labour MPs and a likely defeat in the Commons, the government announced the stricter criteria would only apply to new claimants.

“We’ve talked to colleagues who made healthy representations as a result of which we’ve got a package which I think will work,” he said.

As part of its climbdown, the government has…