17:09Theresa May is meeting with three potential Tory rebels over universal credit. Heidi Allen, Sarah Wollaston and Johnny Mercer are in Downing Street with the work and pensions secretary, David Gauke, seeing the prime minister. They have expressed serious concerns about the welfare change - which they support in principle but believe needs to be adjusted to prevent some of the poorest people in society facing a financial squeeze. The main concerns revolve around a six week wait for payments, which has forced people to turn to foodbanks. The prime minister will be concerned about any rebellion during an opposition day debate led by Labour tomorrow on this issue.

Source: The Guardian October 17, 2017 08:24 UTC