Boris Johnson succeeded in getting MPs to back a controversial social care cap for England, despite a significant rebellion by Tory MPs.

Last night, MPs voted on a new clause which would mean state-funded care costs would not count towards the £86,0000 cap, so poorer pensioners would lose out. 

The amendment narrowly passed in the House of Commons by 272 votes to 246.

Nineteen Tory MPs rebelled against the government by voting against.

When South Swindon MP Robert Buckland spoke to Tom Swarbwick on LBC on Sunday ahead of the vote. the radio host asked the former Justice Secretary whether he was "minded to vote against" the change. 

The Tory MP replied: "Yes. I think the government must look again at this."

Mr Buckland ended up abstaining from voting last night.

He told The Adver: "I had been considering whether to abstain or vote against and I decided that I wished to register my disagreement by abstaining.

"I believe the measure will be amended by the Lords and expect that this issue will have to be looked at again by the government."

North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson voted for the amendment with his party.

He said: "The existing social care system exposes too many people to unlimited and catastrophic costs, with one in seven adults over 65 currently facing paying more than £100,000 over their lifetime. 

"Rightly, we are the first government to act, with a £86,000 maximum cap and a significantly more generous means-tested daily costs limit.

"These reforms mean everyone will be better off and more people will be supported with their social care costs - a simpler, fairer system."

The Prime Minister said: "Under the existing system nobody gets any support if they have assets of £23,000 or more - now you get support if you have £100,000 or less, so we're helping people.

"We're addressing a longstanding social injustice and it will benefit the people of this country."

In September, the Government announced that a £86,000 cap on lifetime care costs will be put into place from October 2023.

A policy paper last week showed that only personal contributions will count towards that cap.

Experts said that means poorer individuals will reach the cap faster than those who are wealthier and will therefore see more of their assets eaten up by care costs.

The bill will now go to the House of Lords.