A quarter of Britons are now disabled, with two million more people than before the pandemic saying they struggle to function because of poor mental health.

In the face of growing Labour unrest, ministers are trying to stand firm on cuts to disability benefits that will slash claimants’ income by £4.8 billion.

On Thursday, more MPs pledged to vote against the cuts, vowing the “mother of all rebellions” against plans, detailed in the spring statement by Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, that will leave three million people worse off.

Only about a dozen backbenchers have, so far, expressed outright opposition. Ministers are launching a charm offensive to persuade those unhappy with the changes not to rebel.

The government also faces discontent from more than 150,000 people who will lose their carer’s allowance as a result of the person they look after no longer qualifying for personal independence payments under the reforms. Official impact assessments show this will save £500 million.