Welfare Reform Bill

I thank very much everyone who has contributed to this debate. I listened to what my noble friend said with considerable interest. I think he went quite some way to deal with the concerns expressed by all of us about the letters we have had from women who are very worried that they will not get any benefit at all if they do not sign up for a work-related or other kind of commitment. I made a careful note when he said that no groups will be excluded or lose their entitlement before they have any other entitlement. In other words, individuals will not be simply left without anything. That is very important. People are concerned that if they do not sign up they will lose any benefit. It is important to have on the record that it is not the intention that groups of any kind should be left without an income, irrespective of what they may have in the way of caring or other commitments and so on. In those circumstances, I will withdraw the amendment and read with great interest what has been said by all contributors to the debate, including my noble friend. In the mean time, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment 83 withdrawn. Clause 7 agreed.