Disability activists shout 'no more deaths from benefits cuts' during PMQs at Commons

Protesters have unfurled banners and shouted "no more deaths from benefits cuts" during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons. The group shouted "Tories out" from the central lobby as David Cameron answered questions at the weekly session.

About 20 protesters – some of whom were in wheelchairs – took part in the demonstration and some were apprehended for filming in Westminster Palace. Despite police urging them to step back from the Commons, the group continued to air their grievances within earshot of MPs and waved another banner that read "Is this how to treat disabled people?"

The demonstration came days after new work and pensions secretary Stephen Crabb announced a government U-turn over controversial changes to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Chancellor George Osborne cut the benefit at last week's Budget as he sought to save £12bn from the welfare budget by 2020.

But the plan backfired spectacularly after it was seized upon his opposition members as well as fellow Conservatives. Charities said cutting PIPs would affect up to 640,000 by 2020, with claimants losing up to £100 a week.

Confirming the about-turn, Crabb also announced there would be no further cuts to welfare other than those already announced. "After discussing this issue over the weekend with the prime minister and the chancellor," he told MPs, "we have no further plans to make welfare savings beyond the very substantial savings legislated for by Parliament two weeks ago."