Part of Welfare Reform Bill – in the House of Lords at 12:30 pm on 22 October 2009.
I thank my noble friend for that explanation, particularly his reference to the additional safeguards which will be introduced in further amendments. I accept the assurances that he has confirmed; namely, that this matter is entirely voluntary as regards single parents with very young children. I am very grateful for those assurances, which will appear in the report of these proceedings. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment.
Amendment 4 withdrawn.
Clause 2 : Work-related activity: income support claimants and partners of claimants
Moved by Baroness Thomas of Winchester
5: Clause 2, page 4, line 21, at end insert—
"( ) No requirement may be imposed by virtue of this section on a person who—
(a) is not a member of a couple, and
(b) is responsible for, and a member of the same household as, a child under the age of 16 who is—
(i) in receipt of a disability living allowance; or
(ii) was in receipt of a disability living allowance and has made and is pursuing an appeal against a decision that he is no longer entitled to a disability living allowance, and that appeal has not yet been determined."