David Cameron hails 'historic' welfare reform David Cameron has lauded an "historic" new era for welfare, after the Government's controversial reforms cleared Parliament. The Prime Minister called the step, which followed a prolonged battle with the House of Lords, "an historic step in the biggest welfare revolution in over 60 years." Among the moves now cleared to make the statute books are a £26,000 annual household benefits cap, and the universal credit system. Mr Cameron said: "These reforms will change lives for the better, giving people the help they need, while backing individual responsibility so that they can escape poverty, not be trapped in it. Past governments have talked about reform, while watching the benefits bill sky-rocket and generations languish on the dole and dependency. This Government is delivering it. "Our new law will mark the end of the culture that said a life on benefits was an acceptable alternative to work," he added. The bill has caused a storm in the Lords, having been sent back to the Commons eight times in all. However, on Wednesday night independent crossbencher Lord Best withdrew without a vote an amendment on the final point of dispute between the Houses - the so-called bedroom tax which penalises council tenants for under-occupancy. The Bill will now be sent for Royal Assent, a "rubber stamp" procedure. Shadow welfare minister Lord McKenzie of Luton told peers that the Lords had improved the Bill "in some respects." But he added: "In too many ways it imposes unacceptable burdens on the most vulnerable. They are entitled to better from their Government.