Welfare Reform Bill [HL]
House of Lords
Lord Empey (UUP)
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Northern Ireland Executive will be required to implement changes to social security and housing benefit contained in the Welfare Reform Bill, if it is enacted.
Lord Freud (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Welfare Reform), Work and Pensions; Conservative)
Responsibility for the social security system in Northern Ireland is devolved. There is, however, a longstanding policy of parity with Great Britain. The Northern Ireland Executive will bring forward their own legislation in due course.