Welfare Reform Bill

First, I thank all noble Lords who have participated in this short debate, including the noble Lord, Lord Rix, who mentioned my stick, which remains well in view on the table. I indeed thank my noble friend the Minister for his detailed response to the concerns that several of us have voiced about the problem of long-term unemployed people who nevertheless have skills, but who have become separated from the world of work. I quite understand that one of the aims of the Bill is to ensure that people do not become separated from the world of work for good—or for bad—but are engaged in a work-related environment that brings them back into the world of work. Of course, everyone has to agree with that. I was concerned about the feeling that many skilled people will be turned off from the whole scheme if they are put into a work-related environment that is well below their skills and does not utilise what they feel that they have to offer. It is important to try to ensure that people in that position are put into a work-related environment where their skills are utilised. Of course, they could be used in training in many instances. It would be very good if that was so. I am grateful for the Minister’s detailed response. I understand that the Bill’s objectives are entirely benevolent and aimed at ensuring that people do not fall out of the work environment, which most of them have been used to all their lives until suddenly they become unemployed. If they have been unemployed for two years or more, they are likely to become alienated from work altogether. That is not a good idea at all. I am grateful for the assurances that I have been given and I shall read with interest what the Minister said. In the mean time, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment 11 withdrawn.