PRIME MINISTER Sir Keir Starmer has pushed his much-mutilated welfare Bill through the Commons in the teeth of another major rebellion by backbench Labour MPs.

Despite further concessions, 47 Labour MPs voted against the measure, which still targets disabled people for benefit cuts in universal credit despite a series of ministerial climbdowns.

The Bill, which has been rushed through Parliament without any consultation with disabled people’s organisations, was finally approved in the Commons by 336 votes to 242.

PCS union general secretary Fran Heathcote said:  “Despite the U-turns this Bill still contains proposals to cut £3,000 a year from 750,000 people with disabilities who are struggling to make ends meet. 

“Rather than picking the pockets of the poorest, a Labour government should be looking to those with broadest shoulders to carry the load.”

And Labour left campaign organisation Momentum said: “The Bill just passed will see thousands of people lose out on universal credit payments.

“Welfare cuts are not only cruel and unnecessary, but also deeply unpopular with voters. 

“Rather than cutting support for the most vulnerable, the government must tax wealth instead.”

The latest concession made by ministers included safeguards for disabled people sought by Labour MP Marie Tidball.

Many left MPs spoke against Sir Keir’s plans in the final Commons debate on the measure.

Former Labour Party chairman Ian Lavery said: “I am a great believer in a wealth tax, rather than taking money from disabled people — simple as, bottom line.”

And Independent Alliance MP Zarah Sultana said that the “government is not only out of touch but morally bankrupt.”

“They work for billionaires and big business, while turning their back on disabled people,” she said. “They hold their summer receptions at Mastercard headquarters, while disabled people are pushed to food banks.

“They impoverish the sick and elderly to satisfy spreadsheets, and then dare to speak of ‘tough choices’.”

Leading rebel Rachael Maskell pointed out that “the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has waded in to protect disabled people where this Labour government have not.”

“No matter what the spin is, passing the Bill tonight will leave such a stain on our great party, which was founded on values of equality and justice,” she said.

Suspended Labour MP John McDonnell told MPs that he would not “vote for any legislation that cuts benefits to some of the poorest people I represent.”

And Richard Burgon told Labour colleagues that “disabled people who come to see us in our constituency surgeries will not understand if we, as Labour people, vote for this cut to universal credit tonight or abstain.”