Labour Moves to Support Tories' Lower Benefit Cap

Labour has moved to support the Government's plan to lower the benefit cap to £23,000, according to a statement made by interim leader Harriet Harman. Responding to the Queen's Speech Ms Harman said her party was “sympathetic” to cutting the maximum amount a family can be paid in benefits by £3,000, a provision in the Conservative manifesto and in the Queen’s Speech. Labour's support for reducing the cap comes despite warnings from charities and researchers that it was already responsible for increasing homelessness and putting "children on the breadline". Ms Harman outlined several caveats to Labour’s support, arguing that the lower cap should not put children into poverty or increase homelessness. She said discretionary housing payments and other measures could prevent the problems seen so far. Read more on the Independent website.