The MP for Whitehaven and Workington had defended his decision to support the Government as it tries to reform the ‘broken welfare system.’

Josh MacAlister the MP for Whitehaven and Workington has explained why he voted for The Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill as it passed its second reading in the House of Commons.

He said: “It’s clear from listening to people across West Cumbria that the welfare system is broken and must be fixed, but people have different views on how to fix it.

“Politics is to make choices and I weighed up all of the comments and concerns I received alongside my own views and what is in the best interests of the country overall.

“My starting point was that reform is essential. If our social security system is to continue supporting those most in need – not just today, but for generations to come – it must be fair, sustainable, and fit for the future.”

He then went on to explain why, with the projected increases in the number of people claiming Personal Independence Payments (PIP), expected to be an extra £30 billion per year by 2030 and that in West Cumbria there are over 500 people under the age of 25 receiving PIP for issues like stress, anxiety and mood disorders.

That the current PIP system doesn’t help people it is ‘failing people’, ‘trapping millions’ and ‘then abandons them.’

He says the government has listened to feedback from those who were worried about the pace of change and announced major changes to the Bill.

Speaking on the vote and what was voted for he explained: “Firstly, we voted to launch a thorough review of the PIP assessment to ensure it is fair, effective, and sustainable for the future. We did not vote to make any changes now to PIP.”

The government aim to conclude the review by Autumn 2026.

Josh continued: “Secondly, we will take action to support those who can work get into work.

“To do this, we will rebalance payments in Universal Credit, to address the perverse incentives which push people away from work, and turbocharge support to help people into work.

“We will deliver the biggest boost to out-of-work support since 1980; including the first ever sustained, above-inflation rise to Universal Credit.

“This will equate to a cash increase of £725 per year for a single household aged 25+ – £250 above inflation on current forecasts by the end of the Parliament – and provide a much needed boost to nearly thousands of west Cumbrian households.

“We will invest £1 billion per year by the end of the parliament to invest in work, health and skills support, which helps people on a pathway to work.

“We are legislating for the right to try work so that people can try work safe in the knowledge that trying work will not, in and of itself, lead to a reassessment or award review, breaking down barriers to employment.

“For new UC health claimants only, we will reduce the health top up for newly declared health conditions from April 2026, alongside active support to help people back to health and work.

“This means we will cut the UC LCWRA element to £50 per week for new determinations from April 2026, frozen until the end of 2029/30.

“Those currently in receipt of the health top up and new claimants who meet the Severe Conditions Criteria or where Special Rules for End of Life apply will now be uprated each year this Parliament to ensure their combined rate of the Universal Credit standard allowance and LCWRA is protected in real terms.”

In one final point the Whitehaven and Workington MP explained: “Finally, we will protect those with the most severe, lifelong conditions who we don’t ever expect to work by not calling them for a reassessment of their UC.

“We will also ensure UC is protected in real terms for both customers who meet the Severe Conditions Criteria and those with 12 months or less to live, ensuring future claimants will receive the same, higher rate of UC health as current claimants.

“Everyone applying for UC in the future who meets the Severe Conditions Criteria, or the Special Rules for End of Life, will still receive the same, higher, rate of UC health as current claimants.”

Taken together, the MP says the changes represent a more sustainable and balanced approach, supporting people into work where possible, protecting those who cannot work, and ensuring our welfare system remains fair, respectful, and resilient for the future.