Welfare Reform Bill

I thank noble Lords for speaking to the amendments, which cover a sensitive topic that was raised during our Second Reading debate. Ministers and officials have met MPs and Macmillan Cancer Support to discuss these issues in an effort to find the best way to support this group. Where people coming on to ESA have been diagnosed with a terminal illness and have a life expectancy of no longer than six months, we agree that it would be unfair to expect them to go through a three-month assessment phase before they receive the higher amount of benefit available in the main phase. That is why we have decided to fast-track terminally ill customers through the assessment phase, so that they can get the support that they need quickly and with the minimum fuss during what will be a hugely stressful time for them and for their loved ones. We will use the powers that are in the Billto provide in regulations that customers who are terminally ill will receive the support component from the beginning of their entitlement rather than after an assessment phase. We know how important it is for this group to receive the best service that we can offer, and we know that this decision will be welcomed both here and in another place. We thank all our parliamentary colleagues and other organisations who have contributed to the debate on this issue. We continue to work on the details of the policy. With the assurance that terminally ill customers will not have to serve an assessment phase, I urge the noble Lord to withdraw the amendment.