Data from the Department for Work & Pensions has revealed that 9,893 people in Middlebrough South & East Cleveland in receipt of Universal Credit will be better off following local MP Luke Myer’s rebellion on the government’s welfare legislation.

Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland MP Luke Myer was among 126 Labour MPs who signed the rebel amendment last week which secured major concessions to the Bill.

The concessions include:

1. Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Cuts Shelved
   • The core proposal to restrict PIP eligibility has been scrapped entirely. No changes will apply to existing claimants. Any future PIP reforms must now follow the findings of a dedicated review led by Disability Minister Stephen Timms
2. PIP Review “Co‑Produced” with Disabled People
   • The review process will be conducted in collaboration with disabled individuals and advocacy groups. Outcomes must reach consensus before informing future reforms
3. Existing Universal Credit (UC) Health-Related Element Protected
   • Any changes to the health top-up of Universal Credit are postponed until April 2026, and current recipients, plus those with “severe conditions” are shielded and will see uprating in line with inflation
4. UC Standard Allowance Increased Above Inflation
   • The baseline Universal Credit rate will be uprated by approximately £7/week from April 2026 (e.g., from £91 -£98/week), benefitting around 6.7 million households
5. Expanded Employment Support Funding Accelerated
   • The government will front-load a £1 billion employment‑support package immediately, with additional multi‑billion funding later across the parliament, intended to offset benefit cuts
6. Safeguards for Disability Support Enshrined
   • An amendment by MP Marie Tidball introduced legal protections: future PIP changes must be co‑produced, preceded by a formal summer consultation, and include measurable targets to close the disability employment gap

These concessions reflect a significant shift thanks to the rebellion by 126 Labour MPs, including Luke Myer that changed the legislation away towards protecting claimants, boosting support, and embedding co-production with those most affected.

The impact assessment by the Department for Work & Pensions has found the change will lift 50,000 people out of poverty across the country.

References:

• 18th March 2025 Website Post –  Welfare reforms: what it means – and what it doesn’t – Luke Myer MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland
• Government References on Welfare Bill Concessions – https://www.gov.uk/government/news/further-details-on-welfare-reforms-published-ahead-of-second-reading