Welfare reforms softened to protect parents
by René Lavanchy
Ministers have promised to soften the Government’s reform of the benefits system to ensure parents with children under seven will not be forced to seek work.
Lords minister Lord McKenzie told peers that the Welfare Reform Bill would be amended before it became law. “Lone parents and partners with a youngest child aged below seven will not be required to seek or take work”, he said.
Another amendment will force Jobcentre Plus staff to consider whether parents have access to quality childcare before applying penalties to them for not carrying out agreed tasks.
Former Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell promised last year that the plans would make “virtually everybody” work for their benefit
by René Lavanchy
Ministers have promised to soften the Government’s reform of the benefits system to ensure parents with children under seven will not be forced to seek work.
Lords minister Lord McKenzie told peers that the Welfare Reform Bill would be amended before it became law. “Lone parents and partners with a youngest child aged below seven will not be required to seek or take work”, he said.
Another amendment will force Jobcentre Plus staff to consider whether parents have access to quality childcare before applying penalties to them for not carrying out agreed tasks.
Former Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell promised last year that the plans would make “virtually everybody” work for their benefits.
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