Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has said a vote on the government's welfare bill will go ahead on Tuesday, despite a huge number of Labour MPs opposing the measures. More than 130 MPs, including 120 Labour backbenchers, have signed an amendment calling for the proposals to be scrapped, making an embarrassing defeat for the government possible.

Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to press ahead with welfare cuts after more than 120 Labour MPs publicly opposed the move, threatening to deal a major blow to the UK prime minister’s reform programme.

Sir Keir Starmer has set up a confrontation with Labour rebels over welfare reforms, saying he will “lead from the front” in fighting for the changes. The Prime Minister confirmed a Commons vote on the plans to squeeze sickness and incapacity benefits will go ahead on Tuesday despite 120 Labour MPs publicly backing a move to block the legislation.