Proceeding contribution from Baroness Thomas of Winchester (Liberal Democrat) in the House of Lords on Thursday, 18 June 2009. It occurred during Debate on bill and Committee proceeding on Welfare Reform Bill.
Welfare Reform Bill
That is something that we can all agree on. If it is all by agreement, I have no problem with any of it. The difficulty is that someone in the progression-to-work group may find that they are being expected to undertake part-time work which they are not ready for. I come back to this problem about the terminology of "voluntary work". I spoke to my noble friend Lady Neuberger, who has just written a report about volunteering for the Government, about this. She is horrified that volunteering could be part of a requirement. I well understand that it could be a very desirable activity indeed. For example, it might be suggested that someone in the progression-to-work group works in a charity shop for a few days a week. That would be a nice thing; I would love to do it myself, as it would be an interesting thing to do. However, if it is mandated, it is no longer voluntary work. There is an element of compulsion there, so I do not like the phrase "voluntary work" in this context.
Secondary information
- Type
- Proceeding contribution
- Reference
- 711 c325GC
- Session
- 2008-09
- Chamber / Committee
- House of Lords Grand Committee
- Subjects
- Disability Contracts Childcare Benefits rules Age Advisory services Childminding ME/CFS Diagnosis Employment Jobcentres Interviews Jobcentre Plus General practitioners Learning disability Medical examinations Private sector Pensioners Parents Poverty Staff Part-time employment Lone parents Social security Social security benefits Standards Voluntary organisations Training Unemployed people Voluntary work Employment and support allowance
- Legislation
- Welfare Reform Bill 2008-09
- Link
- View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk
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