Government reverse defeat over new care arrangements for disabled

The Government last night reversed a defeat over the scope of new care arrangements for disabled people. But ministers faced bitter accusations that the 18-vote Commons majority was secured by coinciding the move with the start of peace talks in Northern Ireland. One Tory MP rebelled but with some Ulster Unionists and other Northern Ireland MPs absent, the Government was not seriously threatened as it overturned potentially costly changes in the Community Care (Direct Payments) Bill.

The Bill allows local authorities discretion to make direct payments to disabled people under-65 to spend on care services of their choice, rather than having services devised by councils.