Starmer stands firm on welfare bill as number of Labour rebels passes 120

Party big-hitters including Sadiq Khan urge PM to pause legislation as ministers and whips fail to contain rebellion

Keir Starmer has said the government will stand firm on its welfare plans as ministers and party whips struggled to contain a growing Labour rebellion before next week's vote.

By Tuesday night the tally of rebels stood at 123 Labour MPs, up from 108, plus 11 MPs from opposition parties, all from Northern Ireland. As Labour heavy-hitters waded into the row, there were fears inside government that the number would rise and scupper Starmer's changes to benefits.