I would like to speak to Amendment No. 82. Clause 17 provides full disqualification from benefit on the grounds of not taking medical advice or following ““prescribed rules of behaviour””. Both provisions could impact disproportionately on people with severe mental illness, learning disability and autism. Treatment for severe mental illness, in particular, is often a case of trial and error, and medication can cause severe side effects. Would it be considered a good reason if someone stopped or reduced their medication because of severe side effects? What if someone disagreed with their psychiatrist about their diagnosis or treatment, or tried complementary therapy instead?
People with severe mental illness, learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder may sometimes behave in ways that other people find eccentric or aggressive, especially at points of crisis. People should not be disqualified because of behaviour that is not intended to be aggressive but which is interpreted in that way. Research published in 2003 in a report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation on anti-social behaviour orders suggests that 18 per cent of ASBOs have been given to people with mental health needs. To ensure that people with these conditions are not disproportionately affected by these provisions, safeguards must be instituted.
At Report in the other place, on 9 January at col. 166, Dr Roger Berry MP asked whether people who did not comply with the requirement to take medication would be disqualified from claiming ESA. The Minister responded by saying, "““The clause is not an attempt in any sense to force people into accepting medical treatment or medication that they do not wish to take for genuine reasons—for example, on account of unacceptable side-effects of drugs or fear of surgery””.—[Official Report, Commons, 9/1/07; cols. 183-4.]"
Could the Minister clarify that this interpretation of Clause 17 will be widely understood?
Welfare Reform Bill
Proceeding contribution from
Baroness Thomas of Winchester
(Liberal Democrat)
in the House of Lords on Wednesday, 28 February 2007.
It occurred during Debate on bills
and
Committee proceeding on Welfare Reform Bill.
Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
689 c224-5GC 
Session
2006-07
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords Grand Committee
Subjects
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Timestamp
2023-12-15 12:48:29 +0000
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