How did local MPs vote on controversial PIP reforms?

REGION'S MPS WERE DIVIDED ON THE CONTENTIOUS ISSUE

- By ANDREW SPENCE

EARLIER this week, MPs voted in favour of the Government's welfare reforms Bill despite rebel Labour MPs' attempts to block the controversial cuts.

MPs voted to pass a watered-down version of the Government's Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill by 335 votes to 260 on Tuesday, July 1. As a result, the Bill has now passed its Second Reading and will now proceed to the committee stage.

Fearing an embarrassing and destabilising defeat, ministers dialled down the some of the more contentious elements of the measures announced by Liz Kendall earlier in the year, after over 100 Labour MPs signed an amendment seeking to block the Government's cuts.