28 October 2015

Welfare reform and work bill has its first reading in parliament.

What: Among other controversial measures, the legislation proposes removing the extra payment given to claimants in the work related activity group of Employment and Support Allowance, a cut of nearly £30 per week. The legislation is passed the following March by the government relying on the Commons’ financial privilege, following a rebellion against the government in the House of Lords led by disabled crossbench peers. After a period of “ping pong”, the Lords agrees to a motion put forward by Lord Freud that the House of Lords should not insist on its amendments that the Commons had disagreed with.

Why significant: Shows the government quashing opposition to changes to the benefit system.