Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill Committee: Amendment 38

Parliament voted on 9 July 2025 to reject Amendment 38, tabled by Rachael Maskell (Labour, York Central), by 334 votes to 149. The amendment sought to extend a "severe conditions" protection within the UC health element of the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill to people living with fluctuating lifelong conditions, including Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, ME, and cancer. As drafted, the Bill's criteria for accessing the higher rate of the UC health element appeared to exclude those groups. The amendment was defeated at committee stage. The practical stakes were significant. The Bill introduces a new structure for the universal credit health element, with a higher rate reserved for those meeting a severe conditions criterion. Supporters of Amendment 38 argued that people with fluctuating conditions face real and ongoing financial need, and that excluding them from the higher rate would push some disabled people further into poverty. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation, cited in the debate, estimated that over 700,000 disabled people could still face cuts without further changes to the Bill. The vote split largely along government and opposition lines, but with notable Labour rebellions. The Liberal Democrats, SNP, Greens, Plaid Cymru, and Democratic Unionist Party all voted unanimously in favour. Among Labour MPs, 44 voted for the amendment against the government whip, with a further 23 Labour MPs recording no vote. The government's position was that the existing severe conditions criteria is sufficient, and that further changes should await the Timms review.