Benefits for some disabled people are definitely being cut, a minister has told ITV News, despite a growing backbench rebellion of more than 40 Labour MPs.

Disability Minister Stephen Timms was also unable to rule out further changes to the benefits system, which he said is badly in need of reform.

A review of personal independence payments (Pip) has already begun, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said in the Commons on Monday, ahead of a wider rethink on welfare policies.

About 3.7 million people who have a long-term physical or mental health illness in England, Wales and Northern Ireland currently get it.

And the Office for Budget Responsibility has previously said tightening the system, under plans to get more people off benefits and into work, would affect about 800,000 people.

Some 42 backbenchers said the planned cuts were “impossible to support” in a letter to Sir Keir Starmer, and represented “the biggest attack on the welfare state since George Osborne ushered in the years of austerity”.

But Minister Timms insisted benefits changes would go ahead.

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