Welfare Reform Bill

Yes, my Lords. The whole point of the localism agenda is that choices can be made at the local level. A number of noble Lords have said today— and, indeed, last week—that we might make a bit of a saving in this budget but see a very expensive repercussion in another. The whole point of localism is that those circumstances should be able to be looked at in the round on a local basis. The question has been asked whether localities are competent to make those judgments. I would argue that they have every incentive to become very competent in making them.