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Welfare Reform

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for much of what he has said, although I think he is wrong to suggest that the report implies that the new deal has failed. I know that that is his view, but David Freud said of the new deal programmes"““By any measure, these programmes have been a success.””" It is worth reminding ourselves that 1.7 million people have been helped into work through the new deal, including 480,000 lone parents. It is clear that that programme in particular has more than paid for itself. I hope that the hon. Gentleman will drop his ideological opposition to the new deal, because it is not helpful. I agree with one thing that the hon. Gentleman said. It is explicit in David Freud’s report that if we are to tackle some of the deep-seated problems, the benefits system should provide more individualised and tailored support services for the long-term unemployed, whether they are on income support, incapacity benefit or jobseeker’s allowance. We should, for instance, aim for better screening at the point at which a claim is made, especially in the case of repeat JSA claimants. David Freud recognised the importance of that. I strongly agree with what the hon. Gentleman said about the role of specialists and smaller providers. We must ensure that they have an opportunity to be part of the new landscape. As the hon. Gentleman will know, tax credits are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.