CENTRAL Devon MP Mel Stride has defended the introduction of the £26,000 benefits cap with the Coalition and Chancellor’s plan to further reduce it to £20,000 from April 2016.

The cap will be the maximum amount that any one family can receive in benefits but excludes those on disability benefits.

The issue has become a national talking point since Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn pledged to scrap the cap if he was elected Prime Minister.

Mr Stride said: ‘It is essential we have a welfare system that provides a safety net for those who find themselves out of work.

‘However, between 1997 and 2010 the welfare bill spiralled out of control and some families ended up receiving more in benefits than others earning by going out to work.

‘It is astonishing Labour now wants to scrap the cap and go back to unlimited welfare.’

The cap was introduced as part of the Welfare Reform Act of 2012 and initially received cross-party support passing by 520 votes to 22 in the House of Commons.