Ulster Unionist MPs have given their support to an amendment to the Welfare Reform Bill which would have allowed more time for further amendments and a full debate in Parliament.
Tom Elliott MP said:
“We are giving our support to an amendment which would have allowed for further amendments and a proper debate at Westminster on Welfare Reform in Northern Ireland.
“We are already unhappy that the Northern Ireland Assembly has not been given the proper opportunity for debate, now at Westminster there is no opportunity to bring forward amendments and the legislation is being rushed through without that reasonable opportunity, which should be afforded in any democracy.
“After three years of wait, without progress, surely allowing another short time would not be unreasonable to enable members to bring forward amendments that could possibly improve the Bill.”