Keir Starmer backtracked on most of his welfare reforms in a bid to avoid a damaging rebellion that threatened to inflict a first defeat on the UK prime minister.

Sir Keir Starmer has been forced to abandon a key plank of his welfare reform package in the face of a Labour rebellion.The Government has shelved plans to restrict eligibility for the personal independence payment (Pip) and any changes will now only come after a review of the benefit.

Keir Starmer is facing the largest Labour rebellion of his time as prime minister as he tries to force through controversial welfare cuts. Dozens of his own backbenchers are set to defy him to vote against the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payments Bill in the Commons on Tuesday evening.