A House of Lords amendment to dleay the implementation of the government's tax credit cuts has been passed by 307 votes to 277.
An earlier amendment, that would have rejected the cuts outright and potentially caused a constitutional crisis, was defeated by a wide margin.
The passed amendment, put forward by Labour's Lady Meacher, will delay the tax credit cuts until the Government delivers a report that details how the cuts will affect the working poor, and looks at what can be done to lessen the impact on them.
A rejection of the cuts by the House of Lords would have been a major break with consitutional tradition, due to the 'financial privilege' that gives the House of Commons the right to decide on financial matters.
The cuts were expected to cost the 3.3 million families across the UK who receive them an average of £1,300 a year, but the delay may now mean the government will reconsider.
More to follow.
