Welfare Reform and Work Bill Report Stage

House of Commons

27 October 2015

The Equality and Human Rights Commission acknowledges the Government's commitment to reduce the deficit and reform the welfare system. We welcome the policy aim of the Welfare Reform and Work Bill, which is to encourage and help more people in to work (where they can, and are able to). However, we have concerns that some of the Bill's clauses could exacerbate existing inequalities.

This briefing supports amendments to the Bill which would:

• ensure a proper understanding of the cumulative impact on equality and human rights of recently announced tax credit and benefit reforms before the Bill can be implemented,
• preserve the use of measures of material deprivation to assess levels of child poverty, and
• retain provision for payment of a work-related activity component in relation to Employment and Support Allowance.

Download the Welfare Reform and Work Bill Briefing

Last Updated: 27 Oct 2015