Work Disincentives In The Benefit System

EDM number 769 in 1997-98, proposed by Lynne Jones on 10/02/1998.

That this House endorses the Government's decision not to implement the Jobseekers' Allowance (Amendment) Regulations, noting the Social Security Advisory Commission's view that the proposals in these Regulations would 'conflict with many of the initiatives which are being used to encourage the unemployed to find work'; also recognises, however, that the planned cuts in lone parent benefits, described by the Social Security Advisory Commission as 'a disincentive to lone parents who are currently on income support to take the gamble of becoming employed', introduce similar perverse incentives into the social security system and continue to undermine the Government's credibility in its stated aims for welfare reform; and therefore calls on the Government to retain the current system of support for lone parents pending the outcome of the Welfare Review when it is to be hoped that more coherent arrangements can be put in place.

This motion has been signed by a total of 30 MPs.