In an unexpected turn of events, on Monday 26 October, the House of Lords voted to postpone the Government’s proposal to cut tax credits for up to three years. Indeed, a majority of peers agreed that the measures would severely hurt at least three million of Britain’s working poor, that they contradicted the government’s campaign promises and its professed work-oriented agenda, and that their timing were exceptionally bad (official letters warning the families about their increased fiscal burdens were supposed to be sent just a few days before Christmas!). For more information about what is threatening to become a political debacle for the Cameron government, and whether the House of Lords is entitled to block such legislation, please read these three articles:

– from The Independent: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tax-credit-cuts-delayed-by-house-of-lords-hollis-amendment-osborne-a6709846.html

– from The Economist: http://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21677199-long-it-remains-unelected-second-chamber-cannot-be-serious-check-government-right

– from The Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/money/2015/oct/26/tax-credit-cuts-halted-as-lords-vote-to-protect-low-income-earners?CMP=EMCNEWEML6619I2

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