'I hope I don't have to' - Shropshire Labour MP said she doesn't want to rebel ahead of PM's U-turn on disabled benefits

Some 126 Labour backbenchers had signed an amendment that would halt the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill in its tracks when it faces its first Commons hurdle on July 1.

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While Mrs Buckley had not signed the amendment, she said she had been lobbying "behind the scenes" having previously abstained on two crunch votes.

She said: "There have been a couple of flashpoints this year. Shrewsbury has 18,000 pensioners, which is a higher proportion than many constituencies, so I abstained from the winter fuel vote.

"I did the same for the WASPI [Women Against State Pension Inequality] as I have spent years campaigning for them.

"So I have had to be careful over the disability vote and have been lobbying behind the scenes and have met with ministers and put the case forward."

Asked if she would rebel, the MP, who celebrates a year in office next week, said: "I hope I don't have to but there are 4,000 people on PIP in Shrewsbury so I have been lobbying hard behind the scenes for them.

"There have been some reassuring noises, so I hope I can vote for the the bill on Tuesday."

The Government’s original package had restricted eligibility for PIP, the main disability payment in England, and cut the health-related element of Universal Credit, saying this would save around £5 billion a year by 2030.

Shortly after Mrs Buckley spoke to the Shropshire Star, in a statement late on Thursday the Government offered Labour rebels a series of concessions in an effort to head off Sir Keir’s first major Commons defeat since coming to power.

A Number 10 spokesperson said: “We have listened to MPs who support the principle of reform but are worried about the pace of change for those already supported by the system.

“This package will preserve the social security system for those who need it by putting it on a sustainable footing, provide dignity for those unable to work, supports those who can and reduce anxiety for those currently in the system.”