‘This is a bill which will raise child poverty’

Labour's acting leader Harriet Harman is facing a revolt tonight after calling on Labour MPs not to vote against the government’s welfare bill.

Scores of Labour MPs are expected to defy her instruction to abstain on the bill which includes plans to cut child tax credits.

That move has infuriated many Labour MPs, 60 of whom have now signed a rival amendment opposing the changes, tabled by Helen Goodman, Labour's former shadow minister for welfare reform.

“This is a bill which will raise child poverty,” Ms Goodman told Today.

The bill would see cuts to tax credits for families with more than two children, she added, and child poverty affects large families most, so she urged colleagues to vote against the government.

“The government’s whole package is deeply regressive.”