I thank the noble Lord, Lord Skelmersdale, and the noble Lord, Lord Taylor, for tabling these amendments which focus on the Bill’s provisions for community care grants. Before I address the amendments I should outline the thinking behind these provisions. Community care grants are designed to allow the most vulnerable...

I thank the noble Lord, Lord Skelmersdale, and the noble Lord, Lord Taylor, for tabling these amendments which focus on the Bill’s provisions for community care grants. Before I address the amendments I should outline the thinking behind these provisions. Community care grants are designed to allow the most vulnerable...

I am delighted to—I hope—answer that question. We are not ruling out the use of a voucher system. Many different delivery systems could be utilised, but this would have to be negotiated and specified in our contract with a supplier. As I have said before, the delivery system must be...

I am delighted to—I hope—answer that question. We are not ruling out the use of a voucher system. Many different delivery systems could be utilised, but this would have to be negotiated and specified in our contract with a supplier. As I have said before, the delivery system must be...

I believe the Committee is expecting to debate another amendment.

I believe the Committee is expecting to debate another amendment.

That is not clear. The cost implication would have to be gone into, and whether the beginning of the claim process was the right time. Therefore, I cannot guarantee that the document would be given to claimants right at the beginning of their claim.

That is not clear. The cost implication would have to be gone into, and whether the beginning of the claim process was the right time. Therefore, I cannot guarantee that the document would be given to claimants right at the beginning of their claim.

The noble Lord asked earlier about the language in the documents. I am happy to report that the DWP charter has been approved by the Plain English Campaign, so the noble Lord’s wish has been granted.

The noble Lord asked earlier about the language in the documents. I am happy to report that the DWP charter has been approved by the Plain English Campaign, so the noble Lord’s wish has been granted.

We understand the thrust of the arguments of the noble Baroness and the noble Countess, Lady Mar, but beyond the technical problem that accepting the amendment would give us, as it would restrict the effect on customers to the effect of this Bill, we believe that the charter would give...

We understand the thrust of the arguments of the noble Baroness and the noble Countess, Lady Mar, but beyond the technical problem that accepting the amendment would give us, as it would restrict the effect on customers to the effect of this Bill, we believe that the charter would give...

Like the noble Lord, Lord Taylor, we want to hold onto the flexibility that not having this in the Bill would give us. However, noble Lords have put forward some interesting ideas. My noble friend and I will certainly consider them over the summer and come back after our considerations,...

Like the noble Lord, Lord Taylor, we want to hold onto the flexibility that not having this in the Bill would give us. However, noble Lords have put forward some interesting ideas. My noble friend and I will certainly consider them over the summer and come back after our considerations,...

I hope noble Lords will allow me to go into a little detail in response to our debate. I thank the noble Baroness, Lady Thomas, for tabling this amendment, which proposes a claimants’ charter, and all noble Lords who have spoken to it: my noble friend Lady Turner, the noble...

I hope noble Lords will allow me to go into a little detail in response to our debate. I thank the noble Baroness, Lady Thomas, for tabling this amendment, which proposes a claimants’ charter, and all noble Lords who have spoken to it: my noble friend Lady Turner, the noble...

It should be mentioned in a work-focused interview.

It should be mentioned in a work-focused interview.

Yes, that is the process. Crucially, this assessment identifies the specific support required to undertake a particular role. Given this, we believe the amendment is impractical because it is impossible to determine what reasonable adjustment someone might need until you know what job they are going to do. The amendment...

Yes, that is the process. Crucially, this assessment identifies the specific support required to undertake a particular role. Given this, we believe the amendment is impractical because it is impossible to determine what reasonable adjustment someone might need until you know what job they are going to do. The amendment...

I would be happy to write to the noble Baroness on that. As I originally said, our assessment of the cost of the amendment is serious money: £750 million.

I would be happy to write to the noble Baroness on that. As I originally said, our assessment of the cost of the amendment is serious money: £750 million.

Yes, we take that very seriously; I am sure that a meeting can be arranged. The noble Baroness, Lady Thomas, referred to the letter in the Guardian, which I have not seen, and talked about schizophrenia and being bipolar—they are mentioned the letter. She asked whether that would be in...

Yes, we take that very seriously; I am sure that a meeting can be arranged. The noble Baroness, Lady Thomas, referred to the letter in the Guardian, which I have not seen, and talked about schizophrenia and being bipolar—they are mentioned the letter. She asked whether that would be in...

The Bill team tell me that it was their fault. They seem to be falling on their sword.

The Bill team tell me that it was their fault. They seem to be falling on their sword.

In answer to the noble Countess, Lady Mar, an individual or customer is asked whether they can do an activity most of the time—we will obviously not follow them about during the day—and they are assessed on that basis. If they cannot, that will be taken as not being able...

In answer to the noble Countess, Lady Mar, an individual or customer is asked whether they can do an activity most of the time—we will obviously not follow them about during the day—and they are assessed on that basis. If they cannot, that will be taken as not being able...

We believe that it is too soon to make that assessment because the scheme came in only in October, so far as appeals—

We believe that it is too soon to make that assessment because the scheme came in only in October, so far as appeals—

Indeed, and if I have more information on that specific point I will write to the noble Lord. The information I have concerns making both customer and employer more aware of the scheme, ensuring that the scheme is promoted and developing partnerships through which it is promoted. That work needs...

Indeed, and if I have more information on that specific point I will write to the noble Lord. The information I have concerns making both customer and employer more aware of the scheme, ensuring that the scheme is promoted and developing partnerships through which it is promoted. That work needs...

I very much take that point. The Access to Work scheme is not always well known to employers. Nor are they always aware that there is back-up support, which could obviously colour the way in which they view a potential employee. We are running two pilots in Hammersmith and Islington...

I very much take that point. The Access to Work scheme is not always well known to employers. Nor are they always aware that there is back-up support, which could obviously colour the way in which they view a potential employee. We are running two pilots in Hammersmith and Islington...

I understand that the Government’s view is that they do not need to be because they are already widely available nationally. The noble Lord, Lord Ramsbotham, talked about what he saw as the inefficiencies in the Government’s approach across the board to mental health. We agree that joining up services...

I understand that the Government’s view is that they do not need to be because they are already widely available nationally. The noble Lord, Lord Ramsbotham, talked about what he saw as the inefficiencies in the Government’s approach across the board to mental health. We agree that joining up services...

That is when it should be mentioned, yes.

That is when it should be mentioned, yes.

We have had an extremely wide-ranging and well informed debate from the noble Lords, Lord Skelmersdale and Lord Ramsbotham, the noble Baronesses, Lady Thomas, Lady Meacher, Lady Afshar and Lady Murphy, and the noble Countess, Lady Mar. I understand the aims of this laudable amendment, and the Government do indeed...

We have had an extremely wide-ranging and well informed debate from the noble Lords, Lord Skelmersdale and Lord Ramsbotham, the noble Baronesses, Lady Thomas, Lady Meacher, Lady Afshar and Lady Murphy, and the noble Countess, Lady Mar. I understand the aims of this laudable amendment, and the Government do indeed...