A debate will take place in the House of Commons today on proposals to limit housing benefit changes proposed by a backbench Liberal Democrat MP.

The Liberal Democrats have never demanded the restoration of the spare room subsidy in private and have campaigned for its abolition in public.

The housing benefit bill ballooned under Labour – doubling in decade. Bringing that bill under control and fixing the welfare system is a key part of our long-term economic plan. Our common sense reforms are working – restoring fairness to the system and delivering £1m in savings to the taxpayer every day.

As part of our long-term economic plan we are making sure that our welfare system provides a safety net for those in need while rewarding the willingness of people who want to work.