Saving Gateway Accounts Bill

As the Minister said, the issue has been discussed at length in the Commons. The Government's late conversion to the cause may come as a surprise to those who took part in the debates in Committee, as the then Minister did not greet the probing amendments that were moved with any great enthusiasm. Indeed, she used some of the statistics that the Minister has now used as a reason not to extend the scheme to carers. That said, we should not be too churlish when the Government listen to the views of hon. Members in all parts of the House, so we welcome the measure. The only omission from the Minister's remarks was any indication of the cost of extending eligibility to people in receipt of carer's allowance. It would be helpful for the House to know the additional financial commitment that has been entered into as a consequence of the Government's accepting the Lords amendment.