Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill Committee: Clause 2, as amended, and Clause 3 stand part

The House of Commons voted on 9 July 2025 to keep Clauses 2 and 3 of the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill in the legislation. The result was 335 votes in favour and 135 against. The clauses reduce the health top-up element of Universal Credit for new claimants from November 2026, while protecting existing claimants, those who meet severe conditions criteria, and people who are terminally ill. The vote advances the government's plan to restructure the health-related component of Universal Credit. From November 2026, new claimants assessed as having limited capability for work and work-related activity will receive a lower rate of the health top-up than those already on the benefit. The change leaves the rate for existing claimants, severely ill people, and the terminally ill unchanged. The clauses form the core of the bill's welfare spending changes, and passing this vote means those provisions will proceed to later parliamentary stages. Labour MPs provided the majority of the votes in favour, with 293 Labour and 38 Labour and Co-operative Party members voting aye, against 36 Labour and 2 Labour and Co-operative rebels who voted no. All 63 Liberal Democrats, all 9 Scottish National Party members, all 4 Plaid Cymru members, and all 4 Green MPs voted against, as did the Democratic Unionist Party's 4 voting members. The bill has generated internal Labour tension, with the rebel contingent representing a notable dissent. Related votes on the same day, including on amendments to delay or condition the changes, were each defeated by similar or larger margins.