SOUTH Somerset MP Marcus Fysh has responded to a social media backlash after he voted through controversial cuts to disability benefits.

Ministers passed plans to cut the Employment and Support Allowance disability benefit by up to £30 a week last week after blocking a late challenge from the House of Lords.

Mr Fysh was one of 311 MPs who voted to pass the cuts, and since the decision, there has been a large backlash to the decision, particularly on social media.

Now, Mr Fysh has defended his decision and said he believes those who really need the benefit will still be fully supported.

He said: “Change is needed to ensure the right incentives and support are available to help more people with disabilities and health conditions who are able to work to move closer to, and into, employment.

"There are economic, social, moral and personal fulfilment arguments for ensuring those who can do so are encouraged to do so, and that they are supported into work. This reform makes a substantial new budget available to do that.

"At the same time, in response to concerns raised about claimants with progressive conditions, I must emphasise those with more severe work-limiting health conditions and disabilities are placed in the Support Group, and that benefits for these people are unaffected.

"The House of Lords proposal for further research was a wrecking amendment used to try to overturn the will of the democratically elected Commons.

“There has been some social media attention on this Bill, which I welcome.

"There will always be differences of opinions and views; What I would ask of people commenting on my choice to support the government in voting for this Bill is to understand my genuine belief that the changes will continue to help the most vulnerable, make the system more sustainable for them, and allow the government to provide more help and incentive for people so that unlike under previous governments they are not forgotten about.”