Keir Starmer is holding talks with Labour rebels.

Keir Starmer is holding talks with Labour rebels in a bid to avoid a humiliating Commons defeat over the government’s welfare cuts.

The prime minister has admitted that the controversial reforms, designed to slash the benefits bill by £5 billion, will have to be watered down if they are to stand any chance of being passed by the Commons next Tuesday.

More than 120 Labour MPs have signed a wrecking amendment which would kill off the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payments Bill.

The government has a majority of 165, meaning they need to bring the rebellion down to below 83 for the legislation to pass.

In a statement to parliament today, Starmer admitted that the government will need to make changes to their plans to........

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