Welfare Reform Bill

My Lords, I thank the Minister for his comments. It is regrettable that he did not address the consequences of the two to three months’ delay before people can retrieve their benefits. That is what happens; therefore, there is an inevitable disincentive for people, particularly those with fluctuating disorders and severe mental health problems, to search for work with some kind of commitment. I am bitterly disappointed that he does not feel that the matter is sufficiently important in delivering the Government’s welfare reform strategy to make this relatively minor adjustment so that the necessary checks could be undertaken after the benefit is restored.