I am grateful to the noble Baroness for her response and for generously saying that support for this initiative in preparing people for the world of work is shared across parties. When we are dealing with some of the most vulnerable people in the country, it is important that, as far as possible, such agreement exists.
The noble Baroness referred to domestic violence. Again, I preface my remarks by welcoming the fact that she acknowledged that the Government had taken this very seriously and it was of great concern. We do not believe it is necessary to put an easement for domestic violence into these regulations. The draft regulations are flexible enough for advisers to apply the policy when appropriate. The income support guidance will reflect the position in jobseeker’s allowance and universal credit by stating that when a person satisfies the policy requirements, they are eligible to receive the easement, which includes deferring interviews and not setting mandatory work-related requirements. Providing the domestic violence easement in guidance mirrors the current approach taken for claimants who are victims of domestic violence and abuse who are entitled to old-style employment and support allowance.
We believe that these regulations are broadly enough worded for that to be taken into account as a good reason why certain requirements may not be met. We do not think it is necessary to put it in the regulations, as has been requested. But in response to Stephen Timms in the other place, my colleague Esther McVey, who is the Minister responsible for this area, has said that she will issue guidance in this area to the workplace advisers. I hope that will go some way towards reassuring the noble Baroness on this point.
The noble Baroness asked what would happen if the coach made a claimant do something despite them being subject to restrictions. The requirement to undertake activity when subject to domestic violence would be a matter of good cause to be considered, and would also be subject to appeal if that was something that was disputed.