welfare state

The largest rebellion in Tony Blair's first year in Downing Street was 47 and also on the welfare state - over lone parent benefit.

"The welfare state must be fair, both for those who need support and for taxpayers, so it is sustainable for generations to come."

This latest one, on the welfare state, comes after Sir Keir Starmer has endured his bumpiest days yet in Downing Street.

At the heart of this rebellion is the unease in the Labour Party, which spreads right across all factions and none, about cuts to the generosity of the welfare state.

As one person involved in drawing up these reforms said, the welfare state is to Labour MPs what Europe was to Conservative MPs.