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Proceeding contribution from Lord McKenzie of Luton (Labour) in the House of Lords on Tuesday, 20 February 2007. It occurred during Debate on bill and Committee proceeding on Welfare Reform Bill.


Welfare Reform Bill

The noble Lord is quite right; Basildon was one of the earlier pilots. I do not have the case load details to hand, but we will see if we can provide them. On costings, it will come as no surprise if I restate the truth. The rate of allowance has not been set, and until it is, it is impossible to provide the sort of costings the noble Lord seeks. I revert to the genuine principle here: we are not looking to consign people to a support group when they do not need to be in that group. We want to engage with people in the widest possible way so that we can help and support them. It seems quite wrong to put everyone who is undergoing treatment for cancer in that support group. We have probably all had family circumstances which have been impacted by that dreadful challenge, but it affects different people in different ways. It does not inhibit some—indeed, quite a lot—of people who are undergoing the various stages of treatment from being involved in work-related activity, even if they are not in work itself.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
689 c38-9GC 
Session
2006-07
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords Grand Committee
Related items
Deposited Paper DEP 07/662
Friday, 23 February 2007
Deposited papers
House of Commons
Subjects
Disability Children Disability living allowance Charities Benefits rules Administration Cancer Advisory services ME/CFS Employment Education Incapacity benefit Medical examinations Pilot schemes Qualifications Mental health Social security benefits Training Students Unemployed people Voluntary work Pathways to work programme
Legislation
Welfare Reform Bill 2005-06 to 2006-07
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk