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[Apparelyzed]

Government Defeated on Welfare Changes for Younger Disabled People

Labour peers and independent crossbenchers rejected proposals to means test the benefits of young disabled people and cancer patients.

Half of Liberal Democrat peers in the chamber did not support the government.

The government says it wants to return the welfare state to "its original purpose of supporting those with the most need".

Shadow work and pensions secretary Liam Byrne said the coalition had been defeated for trying to "cross the basic line of British decency".

He urged ministers not to try to reinstate the measures in the Commons.

"For months Labour has been determined to stop this cruel attack on cancer patients in its tracks. And today the House of Lords agreed," he said.

"The government's proposal to cut paid for benefits for people still in chemotherapy crosses the basic test of fairness."

Peers voted by 260 to 216 to protect up to 15,000 young disabled people from cuts to employment support allowance (ESA), which has replaced incapacity benefit.

Read More: http://www.bbc.co.uk...litics-16523649

[Scotsgal]

Many thanks for this - here's to many more defeats re. this unjust bill !