Welfare Reform Bill must be scrutinised - Alexander

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 4th Jul 2006

Commenting on today's publication of the Welfare Reform Bill, Liberal Democrat spokesperson on Welfare Reform, Danny Alexander MP said:

"The government must not ride roughshod over Parliamentary scrutiny with the Welfare Reform Bill. Today's Bill fails to give any detail over the most important welfare reforms for a generation.

"The lack of clarity on incapacity benefit reform means great uncertainty for sick and disabled. People deserve to know what they will be asked to do and what rights they will have in return to guarantee their security and the support they need in finding work.

"This Bill presented a great opportunity to get millions off incapacity benefit and back into work. As it stands this bill sidesteps many of the most difficult issues and gives the Government licence to make major changes without full parliamentary scrutiny system for years to come."

Commenting further on Plans announced today to rollout Pathways to Work across the country, Mr Alexander said:

"Today's plans leave many questions unanswered.

"The previously announced figure of £360 million would not allow the scheme to be rolled out in full. Ministers have since revealed that not even that full amount would be committed. Pathways-lite will not deliver the hopes that have been vested in it."

Applicability: this item refers to the UK.