REDDITCH MP Chris Bloore was one of the 47 members who voted against the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill, after it passed through Parliament on its third reading.
After a succession of votes on amendments, all of which were defeated, the bill passed its final Commons stage by 336 votes to 242.
The rebellion by Labour MPs last week forced Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to dramatically abandon the bill’s central plan of deep cuts to personal independence payments (PIP) to get it through.
The Government said the bill would increase the household income of nearly 4million people by £725 over the next five years, as a result of increasing the Universal Credit standard and the disabled and those with health conditions would have legal protections to try work without fear of reassessment.
Mr Bloore abstained from voting during the second reading, stating he did not feel able to support it.
“From the beginning, I’ve been clear that my concerns should not be mistaken for support of the status quo.
“Our welfare system does need reform. Last week, billions of pounds’ worth of changes to the bill were made within an hour of the vote.
“I did not feel comfortable making such a significant decision – one that could profoundly impact people’s lives – without having all the facts.
“Many of the proposals in the original bill affected people who are already in work and rely on support to remain there because of illness or disability.
“These individuals are not avoiding work – they are managing complex, often fluctuating, health conditions while trying to maintain their independence.”
Mr Bloore said he was concerned for people with conditions like Parkinson’s and MS.
“In my own family, I have seen the devastating impact of these cruel diseases. That is why I sponsored an amendment aimed at enshrining support for those with fluctuating conditions.
“I voted for amendments that sought to address these concerns. Sadly, they were defeated and not added to the bill, and so I felt I could not support the legislation as it stood.”
He has welcomed the Government’s commitment to genuine co-production with disabled people’s organisations through Sir Stephen Timms’ upcoming review, but said it would require careful scrutiny to ensure meaningful change was achieved.
