LONE mums were narrowly defeated in the Supreme Court yesterday after bravely fighting against benefit cuts.

The country’s top court ruled by a 3-2 majority verdict that the Benefit Cap (Housing Benefit) Regulations 2012 were not unlawful.

But the decision will be a blow for the two women who brought the legal challenge after being forced into substandard temporary accommodation in London by domestic violence.

Their lawyers argued that the cuts violated human rights laws and had a disproportionate and discriminatory effect on women, especially those seeking to escape violent partners.

They said that the cap substantially reduced weekly income and put the mothers at risk of losing their safe homes.

But the Supreme Court decided to uphold a Court of Appeal ruling that the capping measures were lawful.

However, the verdict puts pressure on the government to reconsider its compliance with international law under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The benefit cap limits the amount of benefits a household can receive to £500 a week for couples and £350 a week for households of a single adult.