Welfare Reform Bill

Like everyone who has spoken in this debate I fully support the sentiment behind it. I acknowledge the long experience of the noble Lord, Lord Rix, in campaigning, in dealing with these issues, and particularly in focusing on learning disabilities, although I acknowledge that this amendment is focused more widely. However, I do not necessarily agree that primary legislation is the way to achieve this aim. The amendments would require providers to monitor and report—we should focus on the fact that we are talking about "work for your benefit", which concerns providers and not Jobcentre Plus provision—by impairment category, the number of participants with a disability at every stage of the "work for your benefit" scheme, and the amendments would require the Secretary of State to evaluate those data. Placing a statutory duty on providers by asking for such detailed information, particularly in a programme designed for jobseekers, is, I suggest, a step too far. It would place a considerable reporting burden on providers and could divert resources away from support and into administration. A balance must be struck between seeking information that helps to inform policy-making, ensuring that the information gathered is appropriate and that it represents a responsible use of resources. However, I reassure noble Lords that we will put in place a comprehensive evaluation of the "work for your benefit" scheme and will publish the findings. I very much take on board the point that the noble Baroness, Lady Murphy, has just made. We must seek to avoid such an evaluation 15 years after the event, when there are no data. Our approach will include looking at the experiences of jobseekers with health conditions or disabilities without placing undue burdens on organisations which are trying to deliver employment support. I certainly undertake to engage further with the noble Lord, Lord Rix, and with other noble Lords who wish to participate, when we focus on how this evaluation might proceed. We would certainly benefit from the experience of the noble Baroness, Lady Murphy. The amendment also requires providers to specify what support they will put in place for those with specific impairments. This change is more problematic. The entire direction of welfare reform is, quite rightly, to treat jobseekers as individuals and to determine, in partnership with them, what support they need, and not to make broad assumptions about their capabilities or barriers to work based only on what disability they have. The best people to determine exactly what support is needed are the advisers and suppliers who work with the jobseekers, after discussion with the jobseekers themselves. I believe that the amendment could seriously undermine that approach. It would also introduce a risk that providers would concentrate support on those who fell under the ambit of the amendment, possibly to the detriment of others with different barriers to employment. It is more effective to ensure that we have sufficient contractual arrangements in place whereby all jobseekers receive the support that they need, whether or not they have a disability. I assure noble Lords that "work for your benefit" contracts will require suppliers to support the Secretary of State in her duty to promote equality of opportunity for disabled people, as well as being exemplars in meeting their duties under the Disability Discrimination Act. Not only will the DWP’s contract-management arrangements monitor delivery in this regard, but customers will have the opportunity to discuss any problems or concerns with Jobcentre Plus. Indeed, we intend that Jobcentre Plus personal advisers will review with customers their needs before they are referred to "work for your benefit". This will ensure that providers have a clear idea of the barriers and circumstances in individual cases. I welcome the noble Lord’s contribution to this debate, and I think that that is probably where the noble Lord, Lord Skelmersdale, is in his approach to this issue. I am willing to speak to him further about how we can ensure that those with learning disabilities are not disadvantaged, but I do not believe that these amendments are the right way to go. The noble Lord, Lord Rix, quoted data relating to those with learning disabilities and how far away they are from the labour market in comparison with others. I am very clear that that cannot be allowed to continue. We need to understand what is getting in the way of making further improvements for such people, and I believe that, by working together through an evaluation process, we can make such improvements.