Welfare bill passes final reading as 47 Labour MPs rebel despite further concessions

Stephen Timms, the minister for social security and disability, said government would accept much of Marie Tidball’s amendment, calling it a ‘helpful checklist’ for changes. Photograph: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing/Getty Images

The government’s welfare bill will become law after passing its third reading, but 47 Labour MPs still rebelled despite a series of concessions.

After a succession of votes on amendments, all of which were defeated, the bill passed its final Commons stage by 336 votes to 242.