Welfare Reform Bill

My Lords, I shall speak also to the other two amendments in this group. They are straightforward probing amendments that refer to Clause 19, which is entitled: "““Claimants subject to no work-related requirements””." We discussed previously that claimants would fall primarily in that section if they have limited capability for work or for work-related activity; if they have regular and substantial care responsibilities for a severely disabled person; or if they are responsible carers for children under the age of one. However, subsection (2)(d) provides for a situation where, "““the claimant is of a prescribed description””." Subsection (3) goes on to say that: "““Regulations under subsection (2)(d) may in particular make provision””," in respect of ““hours worked””, ““earnings or income””, and, "““the amount of universal credit payable””." Subsection (4) states that regulations made under subsection (3) may, "““in the case of a claimant who is a member of the couple, make provision by reference to the claimant alone or by reference to the members of the couple together … make provision for estimating or calculating any matter for the purpose of the regulations””." We have moved this amendment in light of the report of the Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee which said in respect of those powers: "““We do not regard the first time affirmative procedure as necessarily inappropriate but the House may wish to be satisfied by the Minister that the exercise of this power on the first occasion will sufficiently define the Government’s approach, and that subsequent uses of the power will make only minor adjustments””." I shall focus particularly on the latter part of that statement. The Government’s response states that it is the intention of the Minister, "““that the key principles will be established on first use. In respect of 19(2)(d) we are providing draft regulations””—" I think we now have those— "““setting out the circumstances which would lead to a claimant being in the no-work related requirements group. In respect of 19(3) and (4), when the regulations are debated, we will be able to set out how the work-related threshold will be set””." Therefore, we need to wait for that, although we touched on some of the issues earlier. Will the Minister take this opportunity to deal more fully with the request of the Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee, in particular the issue relating to subsequent uses of the power being focused only on minor adjustments? I beg to move.