LAST week’s unique opposition day debate saw Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell continue to fiercely oppose government plans to cut Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Universal Credit (UC).

Speaking at the House of Commons on November 16 he urged Chancellor Philip Hammond to withdraw the proposed cuts saying it would dramatically benefit the poorest and most vulnerable in society.

Although the motion was defeated, the Labour Party is confident that increased pressure will influence this week’s Autumn Statement.

Mr McDonnell said: “The government’s majority was cut to 19 which was quite significant for us on an opposition day debate.

“So we’re going to use this next week now to maximize the pressure on the government in the hope that next week we can force the chancellor to withdraw the cuts.”

The MP for Hayes and Harlington also paid tribute to Debbie Jolly of Disabled People Against Cuts who passed away earlier this month after a short illness.

Accompanied by Shadow Chief Secretary, Rebecca Long-Bailey, the pair were encouraging Labour members to attend screenings of Ken Loach’s I, Daniel Blake.

They hoped that after watching the film, cinemagoers would take to social media and call for the chancellor to reverse the plans introduced by his predecessor George Osborne.

Also in attendance at the vigil was SNP MP Tommy Sheppard who opposes the £30-a-week cut to ESA.

He said: “The £30-a-week is there to try and assist people who have a medical condition or disability to lead as normal a life as possible and by taking that away, it’s going to make things extremely difficult for people who are already getting a raw deal out of life.”

Co-leader of the Green Party, Jonathan Bartley, supported opinion that Ken Loach’s film may be able to influence welfare reform and voiced concern for thousands of disabled people whose futures are now at risk.

Labour’s ambition to assemble across the House a coalition of pressure will continue until Wednesday when the chancellor delivers the Autumn Statement.

Speaking on BBC1’s The Andrew Marr Show on Sunday, Mr McDonnell said that if the government didn’t reverse the ESA and UC cuts the Labour Party would.