The U-turn, including protecting personal independence payments (Pip) for existing claimants, comes after 126 MPs threatened to vote against the government.

One major complaint from Labour MPs was that the health element of universal credit was due to be frozen in cash terms over the parliament.

Sir Keir Starmer insisted “we can now get on with it” as he broke his silence over a humiliating disability benefit cuts u-turn. He described a massive rebellion by Labour MPs as “a constructive discussion” but failed to explain how the Government will pay for the climbdown, which could cost the Treasury more than £3 billion.