SIR KEIR Starmer will take on Labour rebels head-on amid a rebellion to drive down the ballooning welfare bill.
The Prime Minister talked tough over his plans to cut £5 billion in benefits as part of sweeping reforms.
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He is facing the biggest backlash from his own side since the election with 170 MPs indicating they could rebel.
The majority of the savings will be made by restricting access to Personal Independence Payments with legislation to be introduced this week.
When asked if he could get the reforms through, he said: “We’ve got to reform the welfare system.
“Everybody agrees with that proposition. So we’ve got to do that basic reform. It doesn’t work for those that need support and help into work and it doesn’t work for the taxpayer.
“So it’s got to be reformed. The principles remain the same, those who can work should work.
“Those who need support in to work should have that support in to work which I don’t think they are getting at the moment.
“Those who are never going to be able to work should be properly supported and protected. And that includes not being reassessed and reassessed.
“So they are the principles, we need to do reform and we will be getting on with that reform when the bill comes.”
Asked if there would be any more concessions to win over wavering Labour MPs, Mr Starmer added: “Well we have got to get the reforms through and I have been clear about that from start to finish.
“The system is not working, it’s not working for those that need support, it’s not working for taxpayers.”
