---

Social Security, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2007

My Lords, that is not right, because of the legal tests applied. The decision-maker is in possession of the information and has the responsibility for making the decision. He has the rules and guidance, and is in a much better position. One of the eligibility criteria is a settled wish to remain, and that is either in the mind of the applicant or not. An appreciable period of time can vary dramatically according to the facts and circumstances of each case. I do not know how a welfare rights worker could test the fact that that appreciable period of time criterion has been passed without making an application. I made the point about weekly claims rather glibly, but I am convinced that the number of applications will increase. If the Government are intent on doing this—which they are, and it is clear that they will get this regulation this evening—they must monitor the consequences of this change and the extent to which what flows from it is an exponential increase in claimants in those circumstances.