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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Welfare cuts backed amid Labour revolt | Welfare cuts backed amid Labour revolt |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| MPs have backed government plans for £12bn in welfare cuts amid a Labour revolt over its leadership's call for MPs not to oppose the changes. | |
| The Commons backed the Welfare Reform and Work Bill by 308 to 124 votes at its first hurdle. | The Commons backed the Welfare Reform and Work Bill by 308 to 124 votes at its first hurdle. |
| But 48 Labour MPs defied orders to abstain and instead voted against the bill, which includes plans to limit child tax credit to two children. | But 48 Labour MPs defied orders to abstain and instead voted against the bill, which includes plans to limit child tax credit to two children. |
| Of 53 Labour MPs first elected to Parliament in May, 18 opposed the bill. | Of 53 Labour MPs first elected to Parliament in May, 18 opposed the bill. |
| Those who rebelled included leadership contender Jeremy Corbyn and London mayoral candidates Sadiq Khan and David Lammy. | Those who rebelled included leadership contender Jeremy Corbyn and London mayoral candidates Sadiq Khan and David Lammy. |
| During a five-hour debate, Labour MP John McDonnell said he would "swim through vomit" to oppose the legislation. | During a five-hour debate, Labour MP John McDonnell said he would "swim through vomit" to oppose the legislation. |
| However, a Labour amendment seeking to derail the legislation was defeated by 308 votes to 208. | |
| Acting Labour leader Harriet Harman has faced criticism for her stance, with many MPs saying she should have been more outspoken in her opposition to curbs on child tax credits and cuts to other in-work benefits. | |
| Mr Corbyn's three Labour leadership rivals - Andy Burnham, Yvette Cooper and Liz Kendall - followed Ms Harman's lead and abstained. | Mr Corbyn's three Labour leadership rivals - Andy Burnham, Yvette Cooper and Liz Kendall - followed Ms Harman's lead and abstained. |
| Reacting to the vote, Labour MP Diane Abbott tweeted: "Just voted against Tory welfare bill. Sorry for colleagues who knew it was wrong but abstained. We weren't sent to Parliament to abstain." | Reacting to the vote, Labour MP Diane Abbott tweeted: "Just voted against Tory welfare bill. Sorry for colleagues who knew it was wrong but abstained. We weren't sent to Parliament to abstain." |
| Conservative MP and chief secretary to the Treasury Greg Hands tweeted: "47 Labour rebels on welfare tonight. Huge. Biggest Labour rebellion for some time. Leadership crisis without actually having a Leader!" | |
| BBC political correspondent Eleanor Garnier said the debate had allowed the Conservatives to "highlight the lack of unity within Labour". | BBC political correspondent Eleanor Garnier said the debate had allowed the Conservatives to "highlight the lack of unity within Labour". |
| It emphasised the task the next leader faces in rebuilding the party after its general election defeat, she said. | It emphasised the task the next leader faces in rebuilding the party after its general election defeat, she said. |
| 'Nauseating' | 'Nauseating' |
| The bill, which also seeks to lower the overall household benefit cap from £26,000 a year to £20,000 (£23,000 in London) and to train a further three million apprentices, has now cleared its first parliamentary hurdle and will move onto more detailed scrutiny. | The bill, which also seeks to lower the overall household benefit cap from £26,000 a year to £20,000 (£23,000 in London) and to train a further three million apprentices, has now cleared its first parliamentary hurdle and will move onto more detailed scrutiny. |
| In a passionate debate, Conservative MPs lined up to support the measures - as well as Labour MPs who did not support the bill, it was opposed by the SNP, the Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru and the Greens. | |
| Mr McDonnell said: "I would swim through vomit to vote against this Bill and listening to some of the nauseating speeches tonight I think we might have to. | Mr McDonnell said: "I would swim through vomit to vote against this Bill and listening to some of the nauseating speeches tonight I think we might have to. |
| "Poverty in my constituency is not a lifestyle choice, it is imposed upon people. | "Poverty in my constituency is not a lifestyle choice, it is imposed upon people. |
| "We hear lots about how high the welfare bill is, let's understand why that's the case. | "We hear lots about how high the welfare bill is, let's understand why that's the case. |
| 'Fear and loathing' | |
| "The housing benefit bill is so high because for generations we've failed to build council houses, we've failed to control rents, we've done nothing about the 300,000 properties that stand empty in this country." | "The housing benefit bill is so high because for generations we've failed to build council houses, we've failed to control rents, we've done nothing about the 300,000 properties that stand empty in this country." |
| Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith said Labour was beset by "internal fear and loathing" and that the bill would put welfare funding on a "more sustainable footing" while protecting those most in need. | Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith said Labour was beset by "internal fear and loathing" and that the bill would put welfare funding on a "more sustainable footing" while protecting those most in need. |
| Speaking after the vote, he said: "Nearly 50 Labour MPs have defied their leadership and opposed our welfare reforms which will move our country from a low wage, high tax and high welfare economy to a higher wage, lower tax and lower welfare society. | Speaking after the vote, he said: "Nearly 50 Labour MPs have defied their leadership and opposed our welfare reforms which will move our country from a low wage, high tax and high welfare economy to a higher wage, lower tax and lower welfare society. |
| "It's clear that Labour are still the same old anti-worker party - just offering more welfare, more borrowing and more taxes." | "It's clear that Labour are still the same old anti-worker party - just offering more welfare, more borrowing and more taxes." |