Government Committed To Disability Benefits Cut

The Government has said it remains committed to making "much needed reforms" to disability benefits in the face of a Conservative rebellion against the cut.

Tory rebels have written to Chancellor George Osborne, warning him of a Commons defeat if he tries to push through changes to Personal Independence Payments (PIPs).

Mr Osborne has said he will consult with disability charities to make sure the reforms are "absolutely right", and insisted the Government would "protect the most vulnerable".

Meanwhile, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has said he will force a vote on the proposals.

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He said: "We will get a vote on it and I'm confident all opposition parties will vote the same way - and I hope a significant number of Tories who listen to their constituents, listen to their hearts and decide to vote with us."

As pressure to perform a U-turn continued, the Prime Minister's spokeswoman insisted the Government's position on the issue had not changed.

She said: "We remain committed to making these much needed reforms.

"We have got the time now to be explaining it to colleagues across the House, and engaging with disability groups.

"This is about making sure we can get PIP back to what it was originally intended to do, which is to target support to the most vulnerable and in need.

"This is about reining in the ballooning of this spending we have seen over recent months."

The intervention by Downing Street came after Education Secretary Nicky Morgan appeared to indicate on Thursday that ministers could be open to a rethink, describing the plan as no more than a "suggestion" that is still being discussed.

When asked later about the reforms by Sky News during an interview on Friday, Ms Morgan said it was "very much a matter for the Government press office" and walked off.

Conservative MP Zac Goldsmith, who resigned as a patron of a charity for the disabled after it called on him to quit the role over his support for Government cuts, said the reforms were not a "fait accompli".

Opponents claim the reforms could see up to 640,000 people affected by tighter rules and lose up to £100 a week.

The proposals follow a review by health professionals which found people were being awarded points for aids and appliances already in homes or provided by the NHS and councils.

Conservative MP Andrew Percy, who organised the rebels' letter, warned the Government, which has a working majority of 17, it faces defeat in the Commons if it tries to push through the changes.

Robert Mooney, of the Community trade union's National League of the Blind and Disabled, said the cuts were "fundamentally unfair".

"Once again, disabled people are paying the price so the Chancellor can give tax breaks to the rich," he said.