Jeremy Corbyn denies fuelling Labour split over welfare

Labour leadership contender Jeremy Corbyn has denied fuelling a split in the party after he and 47 other Labour MPs defied its leadership and voted against the government's welfare reforms.

"What I have done, along with 47 other colleagues, is voted against the government's Welfare Bill because of the effect it will have on children of large families because of the effect of the benefit cap, particularly in high-rent inner city areas," the left-winger told the Today programme.

Welfare cuts, along with the rocketing cost of rent, were leading to a "social cleansing" of central London, said Mr Corbyn.

Labour must develop a narrative "in which we will be serious about regulation of the private rented sector", he added.