Peers reject 'unjust " £26,000 cap on state benefits The Coalition said that nearly 70,000 households are receiving more than £26,000 a year in benefits. Ministers said that is equivalent to a £35,000 pre-tax salary and is too much for taxpayers to bear. The bishops" reform, described by ministers as a "wrecking amendment," was passed by 252 votes to 237. Before the vote, ministers made it clear they would press on with the cap regardless. Chris Grayling, the welfare minister, said: "We will seek to overturn what they do, in the House of Commons." The clerics" revolt was led by the Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, who said it was unjust. It makes no provision for the additional costs of bringing up children. I do not believe a child can have a good childhood in circumstances such as this. The bishops were backed by several Lib Dem peers, even though Nick Clegg, the party leader, has said he will support the cap. Lord Ashdown demanded "transitional measures." Baroness Tyler of Enfield, a Lib Dem, said: "I do not think children should be the innocent victims of this policy." Baroness Wheatcroft, a Conservative peer and former editor of The Sunday Telegraph, spoke in favour of the benefit cap, saying it would encourage parents to seek work. There are many children in this country who live in households with no experience of paid employment. One of the greatest welfare benefits we can bestow on children is aspiration," she said. The Lords rejected a Labour amendment that would have exempted a family deemed to be at risk of homelessness. Ministers said the amendment in effect defined "homelessness" as where children had to share bedrooms.