Before the Minister responds, perhaps I may say that internationally recognised means of measurement already exist, such as those used by the World Health Organisation, including the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, and the ICD-10—the International Classification of Diseases. Furthermore, my later amendments refer to the training of...

Before the Minister responds, perhaps I may say that internationally recognised means of measurement already exist, such as those used by the World Health Organisation, including the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, and the ICD-10—the International Classification of Diseases. Furthermore, my later amendments refer to the training of...

Like everyone who has spoken in this debate I fully support the sentiment behind it. I acknowledge the long experience of the noble Lord, Lord Rix, in campaigning, in dealing with these issues, and particularly in focusing on learning disabilities, although I acknowledge that this amendment is focused more widely....

Like everyone who has spoken in this debate I fully support the sentiment behind it. I acknowledge the long experience of the noble Lord, Lord Rix, in campaigning, in dealing with these issues, and particularly in focusing on learning disabilities, although I acknowledge that this amendment is focused more widely....

I am grateful for that elucidation. Furthermore, the Minister said that the exact details of what I have described as the "loading" of the contracts are still being worked out, presumably with members on the preferred list of bidders—or is it purely an internal exercise?

I am grateful for that elucidation. Furthermore, the Minister said that the exact details of what I have described as the "loading" of the contracts are still being worked out, presumably with members on the preferred list of bidders—or is it purely an internal exercise?

First, I thank all noble Lords who have participated in this debate, particularly the noble Lord, Lord Skelmersdale. I am glad to hear that he is fully in support of the minimum wage. I also thank the Minister for his assurances about the kind of jobs that will be included...

First, I thank all noble Lords who have participated in this debate, particularly the noble Lord, Lord Skelmersdale. I am glad to hear that he is fully in support of the minimum wage. I also thank the Minister for his assurances about the kind of jobs that will be included...

The Minister is talking about employment displacement, which is an important parallel concern. Will the evaluations of this employment scheme specifically ensure that no significant job displacement occurs as a result of its implementation?

The Minister is talking about employment displacement, which is an important parallel concern. Will the evaluations of this employment scheme specifically ensure that no significant job displacement occurs as a result of its implementation?

I have been contacted by the TUC on various aspects of the Bill, with particular reference to "work for your benefit" schemes. It is not surprising that the TUC contacted me, because I was for many years a member of the TUC General Council. The issue at stake for the...

I have been contacted by the TUC on various aspects of the Bill, with particular reference to "work for your benefit" schemes. It is not surprising that the TUC contacted me, because I was for many years a member of the TUC General Council. The issue at stake for the...

I must say, especially after what we have just heard from the noble Baroness, Lady Thomas, that I am curious to hear what the Minister has to say in response to the amendment. The noble Baroness, Lady Turner, is concerned that workers under the scheme will, by being paid less...

I must say, especially after what we have just heard from the noble Baroness, Lady Thomas, that I am curious to hear what the Minister has to say in response to the amendment. The noble Baroness, Lady Turner, is concerned that workers under the scheme will, by being paid less...

The amendment would entitle participants in a "work for your benefit" programme to payment of jobseeker’s allowance at a rate, fixed in regulations, at the same level as for employees doing similar work. I acknowledge the concerns that have come from the TUC and, at the same time, the sterling...

The amendment would entitle participants in a "work for your benefit" programme to payment of jobseeker’s allowance at a rate, fixed in regulations, at the same level as for employees doing similar work. I acknowledge the concerns that have come from the TUC and, at the same time, the sterling...

I endorse the line of inquiry that the noble Lord, Lord Skelmersdale, is pursuing. It would be remiss of us if we did not spend some time looking at hardship as it applies to welfare-to-work and the "work for your benefit" provisions in Clause 1. In any case, I am...

I endorse the line of inquiry that the noble Lord, Lord Skelmersdale, is pursuing. It would be remiss of us if we did not spend some time looking at hardship as it applies to welfare-to-work and the "work for your benefit" provisions in Clause 1. In any case, I am...

I am, again, very grateful to the Minister. I am glad to hear that the onus is on the customer rather than on the officer to seek to prise that information out of the customer. Clearly customers will reveal their personal circumstances. Perhaps they would be a little reluctant to...

I am, again, very grateful to the Minister. I am glad to hear that the onus is on the customer rather than on the officer to seek to prise that information out of the customer. Clearly customers will reveal their personal circumstances. Perhaps they would be a little reluctant to...

Amendment 18 18: Clause 1, page 2, line 48, at end insert— "( ) The prescribed rate shall not be less than that normally paid to workers in the same employment."

Amendment 18 18: Clause 1, page 2, line 48, at end insert— "( ) The prescribed rate shall not be less than that normally paid to workers in the same employment."

I strongly support these amendments. Our earlier debate on childcare was very helpful, and the Minister understandably focused on the issue of whether the parent or the personal adviser was the person who should make the decision on a childcare facility. We did not address looking through the telescope the...

I strongly support these amendments. Our earlier debate on childcare was very helpful, and the Minister understandably focused on the issue of whether the parent or the personal adviser was the person who should make the decision on a childcare facility. We did not address looking through the telescope the...

Amendment 22 22: Clause 1, page 3, line 47, at end insert— "17C Procedure for regulations under sections 17A and 17B (1) Before the Secretary of State makes any regulations under section 17A or 17B, he must consult such persons as appear to him to be likely to be affected...

Amendment 22 22: Clause 1, page 3, line 47, at end insert— "17C Procedure for regulations under sections 17A and 17B (1) Before the Secretary of State makes any regulations under section 17A or 17B, he must consult such persons as appear to him to be likely to be affected...

I am profoundly unhappy with the Bill and I should like to throw it out. It gives a blank cheque for 387 regulations to be issued by the Minister, in many cases only through the negative procedure. The super-affirmative procedure in itself does not give us much control over the...

I am profoundly unhappy with the Bill and I should like to throw it out. It gives a blank cheque for 387 regulations to be issued by the Minister, in many cases only through the negative procedure. The super-affirmative procedure in itself does not give us much control over the...

Do not provoke us.

Do not provoke us.

The noble Lord is probably confusing the "work for your benefit" arrangements with the Flexible New Deal, which is where the preferred-bidder list exists and operates. The structure of the contract is still under consideration.

The noble Lord is probably confusing the "work for your benefit" arrangements with the Flexible New Deal, which is where the preferred-bidder list exists and operates. The structure of the contract is still under consideration.

I will be happy to write, to try to satisfy the noble Lord.

I will be happy to write, to try to satisfy the noble Lord.

This has been an exceptionally good debate and I thank everyone who has participated for the manner in which they have done so. In particular, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Northbourne, for the way in which he introduced his amendments. I think that he acknowledged the Government’s commitment to...

This has been an exceptionally good debate and I thank everyone who has participated for the manner in which they have done so. In particular, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Northbourne, for the way in which he introduced his amendments. I think that he acknowledged the Government’s commitment to...

As indeed do my Amendments 55, 90 and 93.

As indeed do my Amendments 55, 90 and 93.

I get the impression that there is a hidden agenda here. The Bill and regulations rely on the good sense and training of the individual personal adviser. I rather wonder whether some of the worries expressed are not perhaps suspicions about the training of that personal adviser. Whether or not...

I get the impression that there is a hidden agenda here. The Bill and regulations rely on the good sense and training of the individual personal adviser. I rather wonder whether some of the worries expressed are not perhaps suspicions about the training of that personal adviser. Whether or not...