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Welfare Reform

My right hon. Friend will recognise much of what David Freud has put in his report from the excellent Select Committee on Work and Pensions report published two weeks ago, and we look forward to the Government response to it. May I raise two issues? The first is the notion of three years’ benefit rolled up into a package. That is too long by one year. Will my right hon. Friend comment on that? Secondly, the particular issues as regards London and single parents and child care tend to get glossed over in David Freud’s report, but there are particular pertinent factors in London. Does my right hon. Friend have any comment on that?