Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is trying to head off a growing Labour rebellion over the Government’s welfare reforms.Downing Street insiders said talks were taking place with Labour MPs about the legislation after 126 of them publicly backed a move to block the legislation.

Ministers are discussing the prospect of further concessions to win over a growing list of Labour MPs poised to rebel against planned welfare reforms ahead of a crunch vote next week.Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said talks between backbenchers and Government were “ongoing” on Wednesday night as Downing Street seeks to head off what would be Sir Keir Starmer’s first Commons defeat.

Keir Starmer has insisted he will lead Labour into the next general election amid mounting criticism of his performance as prime minister. He is facing a huge backbench rebellion over plans to slash the welfare budget by £5 billion – leading to speculation that the crunch Commons vote on the measures could be pulled to avoid a humiliating defeat.