MPs have secured a symbolic victory over Theresa May's minority government after they backed a Labour-led motion to pause Universal Credit.

A vote was forced in the Commons against the backdrop of the Conservatives whipping their MPs to abstain, a move criticised by senior Tory Sarah Wollaston.

Labour's motion asking for the Government to halt the roll-out of its flagship welfare reforms, which is non-binding on ministers, was approved by 299 votes to zero.

The vote came after more than five hours of debate which saw fierce criticism of UC's roll-out from the Opposition benches, including claims it has been a "shambles" and "idiotic".

Dr Wollaston, chairwoman of the Health Committee, at one stage threatened to vote against the Government unless ministers recognised they need to address a "fundamental flaw".

She raised concerns about the time it takes for new claimants to receive their first payment under UC, with MPs having already warned that the six-week wait has been causing issues.

Recently Barrow Councillors have vowed to fight the imposition of UC which they say threatens the hardest-pressed families in Furness.

Councillor Brendan Sweeney called on the local authority to get behind a campaign to overturn the system and said: "The Universal Credit is having an appalling impact. People are waiting six weeks to get money. We are seeing increased use of foodbanks and increased rent arrears. It is a deeply flawed system."

Shadow work and pensions secretary Debbie Abrahams, raising a point of order after the vote, described it as a "major defeat" for the Government.