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Proceeding contribution from Lord Hutton of Furness (Labour) in the House of Commons on Tuesday, 22 November 2005. It occurred during Opposition day on Welfare Reform and Incapacity Benefit.


Welfare Reform and Incapacity Benefit

I shall have to look into the particular circumstances that my hon. Friend has drawn to my attention. Let me put it clearly on record, however, that the modernisation and reform of Jobcentre Plus is not a cost-cutting exercise. The reforms have been backed by more than £2 billion of new investment in systems, technology, buildings and premises to improve the delivery and modernisation of that service. One of the challenges that the Green Paper will need to address—I hope that this will give my hon. Friend some reassurance—is the need to ensure that our employment advisers are out there in the community as well. We know that that can be effective and work well. Perhaps we need to look into that in my hon. Friend’s constituency. I am sure that the Minister for Employment and Welfare Reform will deal with this issue when she winds up the debate.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
439 c1409-10 
Session
2005-06
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Benefits rules Eligibility Incapacity benefit Social security Social security benefits Reform Pathways to work programme
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk