Lords Hansard 2nd Reading of the Welfare Reform Bill

Here is a link to Lords Hansard text of the 2nd Reading in the Lords yesterday of the Welfare Reform Bill. Baroness Healy of Primrose Hill (column 703, second page) spoke about the impact of the proposed reforms on autistic adults and families in a speech ACT NOW assisted in preparing:

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201011/ldhansrd/text/110913-0001.htm#110913102000436

The Bill is now at Committee Stage (date to be announced) although at the time of publication the Government was due to table a motion to move the committee stage debate into a smaller committee room rather than grand committee. Lord Freud was to table a motion to keep the debate in grand committee - a tense time for all, the Government does seem to have been taken by surprise by the number of members of the HOL coming out with grave concerns about the Bill. If the next stage is moved into a smaller committee room it means there will be less room for members to be involved, harder for media coverage and no disability access.

We will keep you updated.