Welfare Reform Legislation Delayed as Government Awaits Review Outcomes

Sir Keir Starmer has not included a second attempt to reform welfare in Wednesday's King's Speech, the BBC has learnt. The prime minister's first attempt to make significant changes to the welfare system, including restricting eligibility for some health-related benefits, resulted in a mass revolt of Labour MPs and an embarrassing climbdown for the government in June 2025.

Since then ministers have announced a pair of reviews designed to generate new ideas as well as a handful of measures designed to incentivise more people to work.

It is understood that the government is not yet ready to propose a new parliamentary bill on welfare. A new welfare bill will not form part of Wednesday's proceedings. The King's Speech is when the King formally unveils the government's agenda for the next year or so.

Any new legislation on welfare will not be introduced to Parliament until mid-2027 at the earliest. The government is making reforms without new legislation, such as "right to try" rules meaning people with health conditions can undertake work without necessarily having their benefits reassessed.

It is also introducing a guarantee of paid work placements for 18 to 21-year-olds who have been out of work or education for over 18 months.

A major constraint on new legislation is the Timms Review of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) system, which the government committed to as part of its climbdown on benefit cuts last year. The Timms Review is being led by Sir Stephen Timms and organisations which represent disabled people. The Timms Review has not yet reported back.

An interim report from the Timms Review is expected to be published around July, and a final report from the Timms Review will be published later in the year. Separately, a report by Alan Milburn into the rising number of young people not working or studying is due to be published in the next few weeks. Alan Milburn's report was commissioned by Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden.

A government source said: "The system we inherited is not fit for purpose, and we are determined to change it and spread opportunity as the best way to tackle welfare dependency. " BBC News reported that even in the event of a change of leadership, this King's Speech could set the legislative parameters for a new prime minister unless they were chosen by the Labour Party specifically to radically alter the government's agenda.