Welfare Reform Bill

I thank the Minister for that response. I was particularly keen on the emphasis that he laid on rehabilitation, because that must be the whole purpose of the exercise. We are aware of the difficult situations that can arise when households and families are involved and of the whole question of ASBOs, as well as of the evictions which might well follow from them. These families need support. It appears that, despite the advice of local government agencies and others that sanctions would not necessarily be conducive to solving these problems, the Government have gone out on a limb, not in a small way but with a big stick in the form of these sanctions. Only in January 2004, the department said that in the light of concerns, particularly from local authorities which play a key part in preventing and dealing with antisocial behaviour and private and registered social landlords, it decided not to proceed with a housing benefit sanction at the time. Yet the situation appears to have changed in Government thinking. I welcome the fact that Parliament will have the opportunity to review these proposals because I regard them as extremely draconian measures. A10 per cent reduction in housing benefit is a significant sanction on families that are highly dependent on public support. It is large reduction in their resources and is certainly an incentive for them to seek rehabilitation. The deepest concern on these Benches is that we cannot be absolutely certain that the Government have the resources in place for rehabilitation,which I accept is the most important element of the programme.