Skip to main content

Proceeding contribution from Lord Freud (Conservative) in the House of Lords on Monday, 28 November 2011. It occurred during Debate on bill and Committee proceeding on Welfare Reform Bill.


Welfare Reform Bill

It is very relevant. One of the things that we are going to be monitoring as we look at the system is clusters of mistakes because, by definition, the system is not working properly where we are in that position. We will need to work this system in carefully. The noble Baroness, Lady Hollis, who is right on a lot of things, gives a warning, which is right. We cannot use this in an arbitrary way. We must have something, just as the NHS, HMRC and the train companies—I suppose everyone has boilingly paid the extra train ticket surcharge when they were on the wrong train—have systems to encourage people to comply with particular rules. It is particularly necessary where you have a system that is not even a free good. You are giving money out, so you have a positive incentive to shade a few inaccuracies without being fraudulent. We just want to keep people straight.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
733 c11GC 
Session
2010-12
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords Grand Committee
Subjects
Children Disclosure of information Appeals Benefits rules Deductions Arrears Child Support Agency Fraud Fees and charges ICT Domestic abuse Exemptions Overpayments Mental illness Maintenance Parents Negligence Social security benefits Social Security Advisory Committee Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission Universal credit Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission
Legislation
Welfare Reform Bill 2010-12
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk