Government Urged To Re-Think Welfare Changes after Crushing Lords Defeat

The Government has been urged to re-think its welfare reform plans after they were dealt a crushing blow in the House of Lords. Peers voted in favour of ensuring young disabled people continue to be eligible for employment support allowance (ESA). They would have lost their entitlement under Government plans. The Government was also defeated on plans to means-test ESA payments for disabled people after only a year and to time-limit ESA for those undergoing cancer treatment. Shadow work and pensions secretary Liam Byrne urged ministers not to try to reinstate the measures in the House of Commons. Read more on 24dash.