Welfare Reform

Baroness Thomas of Winchester Excerpts

Tuesday 5th October 2010 Lords Chamber

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach]

I would suggest that the only one who is out of touch is the noble Lord himself if he is not aware of the financial difficulties facing this country and the need to reduce government spending in line with the deficit that we inherited. This is essential to our policy. This is not an easy decision to make, but it is a necessary decision to make if we are to bring public spending into line.

[Baroness Thomas of Winchester]

My Lords, will my noble friend confirm that the cap on benefits which has been announced will not hit families with disabled children?

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach]

I would ask my noble friend to await the debates that we will have following publication of the White Paper in which all these matters will be made clear. The detail of the policy has not been presented to Parliament, as noble Lords will know. There will be plenty of opportunities for debate and at that point this matter can be addressed.