Welfare Reform Bill

To answer that question you have to look at the whole of the benefit. I have already said that, if you look at the 13-week period and the time at which the work-related activity component or the support-group component kicks in—and we have emphasised that the former of those would be higher than the existing long-term rate of IB—you would expect that would arise earlier than under current circumstances. Obviously, the assessment phase has a different effect. That comes from an analysis of those timeframes and the components of payments within those timeframes. I stress again that we have not set the overall level, but we are saying that it would be higher than the existing long-term rate of IB. You have to look at the new arrangement; you cannot simply compare it readily with the old. Also, when you look at the ESA, you are not only looking at the benefit levels; the support package that comes with it is a key part of it. That is why it is structured as it is. In terms of where you draw the line, clearly a judgment must be made and a balance must be struck between the needs of all the customers or clients—call them what you will—who are the people that we should be looking to support and help.