The Universal Credit Bill has completed its passage through he House of Lords in a single session, with an amendment critical of the impact of the legislation heavily defeated
Because it was certified as a “money bill, the Lords have no power to prevent the Universal Credit Bill becoming law, or even to make changes to it.
However, an amendment to the bill was voted on which, whilst accepting that it should have its second reading, also “regrets the impact of the Bill, particularly with regard to age discrimination, the impact on people with high levels of need and mental health conditions, and the overall impact on rates and severity of poverty among people with disabilities, and notes the human rights concerns expressed by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.”
Had the amendment succeeded, it would have been a rebuke to the Commons for creating such an unfair law.
In the event, however, the amendment was defeated with just 17 votes in favour and 120 against. Those in favour were mainly LibDems, with a few crossbench peers. 116 Labour MPs voted against, along with three Conservatives and a bishop.
You can see a full breakdown of the votes here.
The bill completed has now completed its second reading, committee stage, report stage and third reading in the Lords and just awaits royal assent before it becomes an act.
Update: You can now download the Hansard record of the debate from this page.
