Starmer's Welfare Reforms: Balancing Cuts and Poverty

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has made amendments to his controversial welfare reform proposals in an effort to appease a potential rebellion within his party. Despite these changes, new modelling suggests 150,000 people could still be plunged into poverty under the revised plan.

Facing a key parliamentary vote, Starmer scaled back changes to disability and sickness benefits, ensuring that only new applicants are affected. The move aims to secure support from over 100 dissenting lawmakers within his party who threatened to oppose the original measures.

The government, which is investing 1 billion pounds annually to support employment for those with disabilities and long-term health issues, defends the reforms as necessary. Critics, however, argue the adjustments do not go far enough and could create an inequitable two-tier benefits system.

(With inputs from agencies.)