Welfare Reform Bill

Paragraph (f) of new Section 17A(5) is very important because it will lead to the participant being sanctioned, which we know from the debate on the sanctions order on 27 April could in extreme cases lead to loss of benefit for as long as 26 weeks, as is shown by subsection (6), to which I have an amendment. But—to my mind it is a big "but"—is this not a repetition of paragraph (e)? Paragraph (e) makes it clear that the regulations will contain those matters which are, and which are not, sanctionable. That paragraph explains what constitutes "good cause" to fail, ""to comply with the regulations"." Illness is an example that springs readily to mind and lack of available transport is another, both of which have been mentioned in Grand Committee. However, the Minister will probably be able to tell us other reasons for "good cause". But why is it necessary to have to paragraph (f)? What is the difference legally between whether a participant has or has not got, under paragraph (f), "good cause", and whether the matters referred to in paragraph (e) constitute "good cause" and, therefore, by inference constitute what I might term "bad cause". To my mind that is tautology. I hope that the Minister will be able to straighten me out. I beg to move.