Welfare Reform Bill

I am delighted to be able to join the deliberations on the Bill. If this change of voice also changes the harmonics of the debate, I guess that it is only temporary. On this side of the Grand Committee we find ourselves in tune with the Government’s proposals and we are unable to support the amendments. Despite strong lobbying from many organisations such as Citizens Advice, we hold to our view that it would be a damaging state of affairs if at the margin young people on benefits such as housing benefit were able to afford a standard of living, such as being able to live alone, that many employed younger people who are their peers and who have lifted themselves above the benefit threshold, cannot enjoy. In our view, both the amendment of the noble Lord, Lord Best, passionately moved by the noble Earl, Lord Listowel, and that of the noble Lord, Lord Oakeshott, run counter to the thrust of the Bill, which aims to build on Pathways to Work. Of course, the circumstances of a 24 year-old can vary hugely, as do their housing requirements. We have tabled a later amendment to address one of these unusual circumstances. But very few young people start their independent employed life living alone, rather than with family or friends. These amendments could provide a significant disincentive to seek higher wages, a better job, or even a job at all, by offering a housing benefit that would be lost by taking such action. Self-interest and self-motivation would be working in opposite directions—this at a time in life when we should be encouraging people to seek independent living and freedom from the system.