TWO Glasgow MPs who missed a vote to abolish the bedroom tax said they had "long-standing" engagements.

Scottish Labour Deputy Leader, Anas Sarwar, Glasgow Central MP and Glasgow North MP, Ann McKechin, were among 10 absent Scots Labour MPs.

MPs voted on a Labour motion which was narrowly defeated by 252 votes to 226.

The absent MPs were 'paired' with MPs from the Tories or LibDems who were also unable to attend, which meant the outcome of the vote was not altered.

However, the Scots MPs have been criticised by the SNP for not voting on the issue.

Dr Eilidh Whitefor, SNP spokeswoman for Work and Pensions, said: "Clearly neither the Labour Party nor Westminster as a whole regard the Bedroom Tax as of great political importance."

Mr Sarwar and Ms McKechin said they were committed to its abolition.

Mr Sarwar said: "I was unfortunately unable to attend on Tuesday as I was fulfilling a long-standing commitment agreed to long before this week's parliamentary schedule was known, but my record and the record of the Labour Party on the Bedroom Tax is clear; it is a horrible and pernicious piece of Tory legislation, which the next Labour Government will abolish."

Ms McKechin told her constituents in advance through her website that she would not be attending and repeated her opposition to the bedroom tax. In a statement she said: "Due to a long-standing arrangement, I will be abroad on that day on other parliamentary business but am paired so it will not impact the balance of the final vote.

"The main purpose of the vote was to test the government' support for their policy despite the growing evidence of failure."