Michelle Scrogham the MP for Barrow and Furness has explained that she ‘will continue to make the case for positive change’ to benefits system.

The Government’s Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment (PiP) Bill passed its second reading in the House of Commons with the Barrow and Furness MP supporting the reform.

Barrow and Furness MP Michelle Scrogham said in defence of her decision: “The system is broken; it’s failing the very people it’s supposed to be helping and needed serious reform to change that.

“The bill offered much of what was needed to do that, however, this was overshadowed by the proposed changes to PIP eligibility.

“I have been raising my concerns, along with many colleagues, about the changes to PIP eligibility.

“I had been clear that I couldn’t support the bill as it stood last week. Government have listened to those concerns, and changes to the bill mean that nobody currently in receipt of Pip will be worse off and we will now get the review on Pip ahead of further discussions on changes.

“We did not vote through any changes to Pip this week.

“The reforms provide support to help people who can work, to get into work.

“This includes changes to Universal Credit, to address the current incentives which push people away from work and we are investing record amounts in the support provided.

“In addition, The “right to try” will allow people to try a job without facing any potential penalties for doing so.

“The changes provide strong new protections for those who will never be able to work, by providing them with more financial support and removing the need for pointless reassessment every few years.

“I will continue to make the case for positive change in our benefits system.”

The Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill was supported by Penrith and Solway MP Markus Campbell-Savours, Carlisle MP Julie Minns, and Whitehaven and Workington MP Josh MacAlister.

With Liberal Democrat’s Tim Farron voting against it.