A combination of Church of England bishops and rebel Liberal Democrats are threatening to derail Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith's flagship benefit reforms when peers vote on the measure later.
The controversial coalition plans to limit the total payments any household can receive to £26,000 have been met with much criticism.
Former Liberal Democrat leader Lord Ashdown is the most high-profile figure to speak out against the reforms, denouncing them as "completely unacceptable" in their current form.
He told Sky News' Dermot Murnaghan he favoured a benefit cap - but that he would not vote for the reforms Mr Duncan Smith is spearheading.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said that while there was scope to look at the "transitional arrangements" for introducing the benefits cap, he fully supported the principle behind it.
But he flatly rejected an amendment tabled by the Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, the Rt Rev John Packer, which would exclude child benefit payments from plan.
Ministers appear determined to ride out the opposition, believing there is strong public support for their plans to curb the benefits dependency culture and "make work pay".
But the vote poses a dilemma for Labour who have to decide whether they want to try to inflict a damaging defeat on the Government, even if it means taking the blame for blocking a measure popular with much of the public.
Party officials have been tight-lipped on whether they would back the bishop's amendment, saying they would be concentrating on their own compromise amendment designed to protect families facing losing their homes.
"Labour won't be voting against the benefits cap because we support the principles and the responsibility to take a job if you can work," a spokesman said.
"But we will be seeking to amend the Bill, to bring a compromise between the bishops and the Government because we don't think council taxpayers should be hit with a massive bill for homelessness."
No comments:
Post a Comment