The government was heavily defeated in the House of Lords over plans to cut £30 per week from the benefit of new claimants in work-related activity group (WRAG) of employment and support allowance (ESA) yesterday.{jcomments on}
The House of Lords voted by 238 votes to 198 against reducing the level of payments for claimants, many of whom have degenerative diseases or serious mental health conditions, to the same level as jobseeker’s allowance. The cut is due to be introduced in April 2017 and will not affect current claimants.
The government claim the measure will give ESA claimants an incentive to find work.
The measure will now be returned to the Commons for further debate.
