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Welfare Reform Bill

I will try to deal with each of those points. On the specific question about whether there would be any change to permitted work rules, we are due to consider an amendment later about existing rules that we will seek to translate into the ESA. That will be the most appropriate point to discuss that. My noble friend Lady Hollis asked whether we should do more in guidance to explain the rules of permitted work and make it clearer, and the answer is yes. This area is not well understood and we should certainly do that. The issue of training and the extent to which education features and lessens people's ability to be in full-time, part-time work or training is a complex one. We have an amendment on that coming up and I will deal with it more fully at that stage. At the moment, the specific provisions that effectively disregard the number of hours that councillors spend and reduce the contributory component by some of their allowances are specific provisions. We have no current policy intent to change that. But as I said, we are continuing to look at being more flexible in helping people to take the opportunities available. I am not sure that I can say more than that, but there is consideration of this matter.