Clause 9
Welfare Reform Bill
12:00 pm
Jim Murphy (Minister of State (Work), Department for Work and Pensions; East Renfrewshire, Labour)
The length of time taken to grant a deferral will be a matter for the personal adviser. We are not talking about a day, a week or a month; it could be much longer than that. I think that there is unanimity about the idea that—except on medical grounds relating to access to a support group, although even then, those involved would be entitled to volunteer—the state and the Government should not be able to write anyone off by accident or design. In the scenario described by the hon. Gentleman, a deferral could be very long term; it would not be a case of “Please come back tomorrow.” It would clearly be inappropriate to request that someone undertake a work-focused interview or work-related activity in that scenario or in many of the others of which we are aware from our constituencies. That would be counter-productive and would add to the difficulties that people were experiencing, rather than doing what the Bill and the regulations are intended to do, which is, where possible, to lift the difficulties that people experience in getting closer to the labour market. I hope that that reassures the hon. Gentleman.