Lords reject motion on mandatory work

11 May 2011

Yesterday the Lords voted against a motion of regret raised by the Countess of Mar, regarding Jobseeker's Allowance (Mandatory Work Activity Scheme) Regulations 2011.

The motion was: “That this House regrets that it has been given insufficient information to understand the policy objectives of the Jobseeker's Allowance (Mandatory Work Activity Scheme) Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/688), how the scheme will work and whether claimants' prospects of obtaining employment will be improved.”

Hansard reports that the Countess said, “I would like to see these regulations taken away and returned to us as a complete picture, rather than a sketch, but of course that depends upon the flexibility of the Minister. I regret that he has ignored the advice of the SSAC and the Merits Committee.”

The motion was rejected by 155 votes to 122.

Action for M.E.’s Welfare Rights Officer is away for essential training but will comment on the mandatory work regulations in the next few weeks.