Iain Duncan Smith dismissed claims he was "slashing" welfare today - insisting the coalition had to make the system fairer.

In the face of a backlash from churches and charities, the Work and Pensions Secretary said he was giving people the chance to "break free" of benefits.

Ministers launched a fightback as 660,000 social housing tenants deemed to have a spare room began to lose an average £14 a week in what critics have dubbed a "bedroom tax" - the subject of a special report by the Worcester News.

It is part of a package of significant welfare and tax changes coming into force this month which opponents warn will hit poor families and the disabled especially hard.