Labour MP Vicky Foxcroft quits as government whip over cuts to disability benefits
Labour MP Vicky Foxcroft has quit her job as a government whip in opposition to the government’s plans to cut disability benefits.
She wrote in a letter to the prime minister that she could not vote “for reforms which include cuts to disabled people’s finances”.
The former shadow minister for disabled people becomes the first MP to quit a government job over the controversial welfare reform plans that have seen over 100 Labour MPs publicly express concern over the proposals.
A government spokesperson defended the reforms as “principled” and insisted they will protect the vulnerable.
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The MP for Lewisham North wrote that the benefits system is in “desperate need of reform”, but argued this is not the way to do it.
She said: “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.”
Labour MP Vicky Foxcroft. Pic: UK Parliament
Ms Foxcroft said she has “wrestled” with the decision over whether to resign, but said: “Sadly it now seems that we are not going to get the changes 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.”
She has received public support from a number of fellow Labour MPs, who praised her “principled” stand on this issue.
‘Moral case for change’
The government published its bill earlier this week to tighten the eligibility for PIP benefits, and also cuts to the sickness-related portion of Universal Credit.
Ministers say these plans will cut £5bn from the welfare budget that is ballooning.
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The government’s plans to cut benefits
The cost of long-term sickness and disability benefits for working-age people has risen by £20bn since the pandemic and is forecast to hit £70bn over the next five years.
Ministers have said there is also a moral case for change, with one in eight young people not in education, training, or employment – prompting fears of a “wasted generation”.
But disability groups say they fear an increase in suicides and mental health conditions.
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The government’s own assessment forecast an extra 250,000 people could be pushed into poverty – including 50,000 children. It did not include the impact of people moving into work.
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.”
Politics
‘Absolutely staggering’ security breach at RAF base – as activists break in and vandalise aircraft
Sir Keir Starmer has condemned pro-Palestinian activists who broke into a RAF base in Oxfordshire as “disgraceful”.
Palestine Action targeted RAF Brize Norton and damaged two military aircraft in what the Ministry of Defence (MoD) branded an act of “vandalism”.
The pro-Palestinian group posted on X to say it had broken into the site – the largest RAF station with approximately 5,800 service personnel, 300 civilian staff and 1,200 contractors.
In a video shared online, a person can be seen approaching an aircraft on a scooter as music is played. Red paint can be seen on the ground.
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In a post on X, the prime minister branded the breach an “act of vandalism” and “disgraceful”.
“Our Armed Forces represent the very best of Britain and put their lives on the line for us every day. It is our responsibility to support those who defend us,” he added.
The MoD also condemned the group’s actions, adding: “We are working closely with the police who are investigating.”
In a statement, Palestine Action – which focuses its campaigns on multinational arms dealers and has previously targeted corporate banks – said it had damaged two military planes at the RAF base, where flights depart on a daily basis for RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.
The UK has two military bases on the island of Cyprus, a legacy of its former status as a British colony.
When it gained independence from Britain in 1960, it was agreed that Britain would maintain two “sovereign base areas” at Akrotiri in the south west and Dhekelia in the south east.
Aircraft based at Akrotiri include RAF Typhoons, which were used last year in strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen, as well as Puma helicopters.
The group said two activists “broke into the largest air force base in Britain and used electric scooters to swiftly manoeuvre towards the planes”.
RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire
They said repurposed fire extinguishers were used to spray red paint into the turbine engines of two Airbus Voyagers, while further damage was made using crowbars.
“Red paint, symbolising Palestinian bloodshed was also sprayed across the runway and a Palestine flag was left on the scene,” the statement added.
“Both activists managed to evade security and arrest.”
Work is under way to assess whether any damage has been caused, it is understood.
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No operations or planned movements are thought to have been affected.
A senior RAF source told Sky News: “The claims made by the group who broke into RAF Brize Norton show a complete lack of understanding of how the RAF operates and what these aircraft do.
“The UK is not supporting Israeli operations and these aircraft have not been used in support of Israeli forces in any shape or form.”
Ben Obese-Jecty, a Liberal Democrat MP and former army officer, said the breach at Brize Norton was “absolutely staggering”.
“Given the current heightened global tensions, the increase in activity and the recent exploitation of the vulnerability of Russian airbases by Ukraine, it is incredible that our busiest RAF base could be compromised,” he said.
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Sir Keir Starmer could end up allowing Donald Trump to use British bases to launch strikes on Iran, Harriet Harman has said.
Speaking to Beth Rigby on the Electoral Dysfunction podcast, Baroness Harman said this was despite the prime minister being part of a generation “shaped” by opposition to the Iraq War.
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Baroness Harman was solicitor general when Sir Tony Blair decided to take Britain to war in Iraq alongside the United States in 2003.
She said the decisions made by Sir Tony would be “burning bright” in Sir Keir‘s mind.
Tony Blair’s decision to go to war in Iraq will be ‘burning bright’ in the PM’s mind, Baroness Harman said. Pic: PA
“He’s part of the political generation of the Labour Party that grew up, which was shaped by its opposition to what Tony Blair was doing in relation to Iraq,” Baroness Harman said.
“So it would be a massive change for him.”
Asked if the UK could end up giving permission for US aircraft to use British military bases on Cyprus and Diego Garcia, but not go any further than that, Baroness Harman said: “Exactly”.
Soldiers guard the security gate of RAF Akrotiri, a British military base in Cyprus. File pic: Reuters
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Sky News reported on Thursday that Attorney General Richard Hermer has raised questions over whether Israel’s actions in Iran are lawful, potentially limiting what support he believes the UK could offer the US.
Baroness Harman said that for Sir Keir, the “rules-based international order is the most important thing”.
“If the attorney general says that the government can’t do something because it’s illegal, it can’t do it. So he’s in a very crucial position,” she added.
Harriet Harman (R) with Beth Rigby
But Baroness Harman said it would be difficult for Sir Keir to say “thank you for the trade deal” to Mr Trump and then deny the president use of the airbases.
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