Sir Keir Starmer said changes to his welfare bill “strike the right balance” after making concessions to his backbench MPs.
The prime minister described the U-turn as “common sense” and said it means “we can now get on with the job”.
Politics Live: Starmer defends U-turn
Sir Keir faced a significant rebellion over plans to cut sickness and disability benefits as part of a package he said would shave £5bn off the welfare bill and get more people into work.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, he stood by his position that the welfare system needs reform as “it doesn’t work, and it traps people”.
He added: “We need to get it right. That’s why we’ve been talking to colleagues and having a constructive discussion.
“We’ve now arrived at a package that delivers on the principles with some adjustments, and that’s the right reform, and I’m really pleased now that we’re able to take this forward.
“For me, getting that package adjusted in that way is the right thing to do, it means it’s the right balance, it’s common sense that we can now get on with it.”
The concessions include exempting existing Personal Independence Payment claimants (PIP) from the stricter new criteria, while the universal credit health top-up will only be cut and frozen for new applications.
Analysis: Welfare bill U-turn a humiliating blow for Starmer
More money will also be front-loaded into helping people find jobs, though it is not clear how much beyond the £1bn already announced.
The changes came after 127 Labour MPs signed an amendment calling for the cuts to be delayed and consulted on with disabled people.
Rebels feared the reforms…
