How Worcester's MP voted on controversial welfare reforms
The controversial Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payments (PIP) Bill passed its first reading in the Commons.
But only after a last-minute climbdown by the Government saw ministers shelve plans to restrict eligibility for PIP.
Any changes will now come only after a review of the benefit.
The proposed changes to universal credit remain, raising the standard allowance while halving the health element for most new claimants from April 2026.
Labour MP Mr Collins had said he would only vote for the bill if he was convinced a plan was in place to fix 'the culture in the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)'.
He said: 'People who are struggling with the PIP system all tell me that assessments are inaccurate, unpredictable and often, honestly, cruel.
'Until now I have had no response from the Government that showed any sign that this challenge was understood or that they had a plan to tackle it.
'For me, this has been a deal-breaker. Unless the culture of cruelty is fixed, nothing can work. If the culture could be fixed, that would be an incredible win in itself.'
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Mr Collins said an eleventh-hour commitment from the Government to pursue 'deep change' in the DWP secured his vote.
'I have now had a response that shows they understand,' he said. 'These are Labour values, and if they are delivered, it will improve the lives of people with disabilities and long-term illness who have been horribly mistreated.'
Despite the last-minute concessions, a total of 49 Labour MPs rebelled and voted against the legislation, the largest revolt of Sir Keir Starmer's premiership.
Overall, the legislation cleared its first parliamentary hurdle by 335 votes to 260, a majority of 75.
In a sign of how much the legislation has been gutted, the title will be changed to remove the reference to Pip.
Earlier on, an amendment designed to halt the legislation tabled by York Central MP Rachael Maskell was backed by 44 Labour MPs.
Ms Maskell said the concessions signalled a 'change in power between the Prime Minister' and disabled people.
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