Labour Whip Vicky Foxcroft Resigns Over Welfare Cuts

Labour MP Vicky Foxcroft has resigned from her role as a government whip in protest against proposed cuts to disability benefits, including personal independence payments and elements of Universal Credit. Foxcroft expressed that while she acknowledges the need to reform the welfare system, she believes the planned cuts unfairly impact disabled people and should not be part of the solution. In her resignation letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, she stated that she could no longer support or vote for these reforms, having hoped to enact change from within the government. Her resignation marks the first among government payroll members over these welfare proposals and highlights growing dissent within the Labour Party, with fears of a significant backbench rebellion. The welfare reforms are part of the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill, scheduled for a second reading in the House of Commons in early July. The government maintains that these reforms are necessary to fix a broken welfare system and protect the most vulnerable while encouraging work.