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Proceeding contribution from Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope (Liberal Democrat) in the House of Lords on Tuesday, 9 June 2009. It occurred during Committee proceeding and Debate on bill on Welfare Reform Bill.


Welfare Reform Bill

That is an interesting point. I disagree for the reasons in the Gregg report. Gregg says that the categories, or the arbitrary ages of seven, 10, two or three, do not matter. It is about the family circumstances. Through my work with the Wise Group, I have seen parents who, having given birth, want to go straight back to work. In their circumstances, it is right for them. There is an idea that you should categorise people and set up circumstances depending on what kind of client group they are in or what box they tick. We should be moving towards, which we will come to in the next amendment, a system so professionally supported that people will want it. The noble Baroness made the point about giving bonuses. It is about all of that. I am blind to age and I do not care so much about it. I listened carefully to the debate earlier and I understand the points that were made and why they were made. People are frightened of the system at the moment. In future, however, we should be able to say "Come on down" to anyone in any circumstances. Age does not matter.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
711 c69GC 
Session
2008-09
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords Grand Committee
Subjects
Childcare Benefits rules Jobseeker's allowance Jobcentres Jobcentre Plus Older workers Lone parents New deal schemes Reform Pathways to work programme Social security benefits Social security Training New deal for lone parents
Legislation
Welfare Reform Bill 2008-09
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk