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Rachel Reeves appears to cry in Parliament following Starmer welfare backdown

Published 13:27 2 Jul 2025 BST

Updated 13:55 2 Jul 2025 BST

Harry Warner
Rachel Reeves appears to cry in Parliament following Starmer welfare backdown

Homenews

A singular tear rolled down her cheek

A video from a debate earlier today in the House of Common about welfare reforms saw Chancellor Rachel Reeves appear to cry.

Today's PMQs saw Keir Starmer grilled on plans for welfare reforms that planned to bring large cuts to Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill.

However, the government have ultimately seen the original plan largely gutted from its most impactful measures, reflecting a lack of unity from within the Labour party.

You can watch the video here:

In light of this internal pressure, the reforms were watered down so they could pass the bill into law.

Yesterday saw the bill passed by 75 votes in the House of Commons.

In live coverage of today's PMQs, the Chancellor Rachel Reeves appeared to cry as a singular tear rolled down her face as Keir Starmer failed to guarantee the future of her job.

Conservative leader accused Starmer of using Reeves as a "human shield".

She was later comforted by fellow MPs.

A minister has since said that Reeves "had an altercation with Speaker Lindsay [Hoyle] just before PMQs. They had a row. I think he ended up apologising to her".

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Rachel Reeves appears to cry in Parliament following Starmer welfare backdown