John McDonnell has slammed the government over its proposed benefit cuts, accusing ministers of lacking empathy and understanding.
The former shadow chancellor said he was shocked by how poorly Keir Starmer’s government has handled the lead-up to the policy changes. McDonnell, who now sits as an independent MP, warned that the cuts could spark resignations from Labour’s frontbench.
Disabled people ‘frightened’ by cuts
Writing in The Guardian, McDonnell revealed that MPs have been flooded with emails from disabled people and carers. He said many are “truly frightened” by the idea that their essential benefits could be cut.
“The latest comments from a ‘government insider’ show just how out of touch some ministers are,” McDonnell said. “This person accused Labour MPs raising concerns about the cuts of ‘pearl clutching’.”
He added: “It’s clear that some politicians have learned nothing from the winter fuel payment debacle. They also seem to have forgotten the disastrous work capability assessment, linked to nearly 600 suicides between 2010 and 2013.”
Benefit changes to be revealed next week
The government will publish the proposed changes in a green paper next week. Chancellor Rachel Reeves is also set to present her spring statement to MPs on 26 March.
Labour MPs have warned No 10 that freezing personal independence payments (PIP) could face stronger resistance than the means-testing of winter fuel allowance.
McDonnell compared the current situation to Tony Blair’s early days in office. In 1997, 47 Labour MPs rebelled against cuts to benefits for single-parent families.
McDonnell urges Labour to rethink
McDonnell, who lost the Labour whip after voting against the two-child benefit cap last year, said the government’s approach risks undermining other policies.
“The decision to rule out higher taxes for top earners is dogmatic and foolish,” he said.
He urged the Labour cabinet to rethink the cuts. “There’s still time to act like a cabinet. Ministers should push back against the Treasury and adopt a more flexible approach to the fiscal rules. The broadest shoulders should bear the heaviest burden.”
Government defends planned overhaul
A spokesperson for Keir Starmer defended the government’s approach.
“The system we’ve inherited would swallow up more taxpayers’ money and leave more people trapped in unemployment,” they said. “We need to overhaul the health and disability benefits system so it supports those who can work while protecting those who can’t. That’s how we’ll make welfare spending sustainable and unlock growth.”
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