BBC | The government has confirmed it will make major concessions to rebels in its own party over its planned benefits reforms.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall told Labour MPs that claimants of the Personal Independence Payment (Pip) will continue to receive what they currently get, as will recipients of the health element of Universal Credit. Instead, planned cuts will only hit future claimants.
The government made the climbdown after facing the prospect of defeat in the Commons if it failed to accommodate the demands of more than 100 backbenchers.
A No 10 spokesperson said it had listened to MPs "who support the principle of reform but are worried about the pace of change".
"This package will preserve the social security system for those who need it by putting it on a sustainable footing, provide dignity for those unable to work, supports those who can and reduce anxiety for those currently in the system," they added.
The government hoped to save £5bn a year by 2030 with its welfare bill, while slowing the increase in people claiming benefits. Working-age health-related benefits are estimated to cost an extra £30bn by 2029 without reforms.
But the government faced growing discontent from around 120 of its own MPs over the changes.
Sir Keir Starmer spent Thursday making calls to shore up support among Labour MPs who backed an amendment to stop the government's flagship welfare bill, ahead of a Commons vote on Tuesday.
Speaking in the Commons earlier, Sir Keir said he wanted to "see reform implemented with Labour values and fairness".
As well as changing who will be affected by the cuts, ministers are also expected to fast-track a £1bn support plan originally scheduled for 2029.
Dame Meg Hillier, who had led the effort to block changes to disability benefits, said she would now support the government's welfare bill as "it is a good step forward".
There had been a "big change since last week", she said, which would "ensure the most vulnerable people are protected".
Dame Meg said that she was pleased that the changes would mean "involving disabled people themselves in the future design" of benefits.
Broadly speaking, the rebels have told the BBC their colleagues are happy with the concessions, meaning the bill is now likely to pass.
But Peter Lamb, Labour MP for Crawley, wrote on social media that he would still not support the bill - calling the changes "insufficient" and accusing ministers of ignoring better options.