Welfare Reform Bill — Third Reading — 15 Jun 2011 at 19:00

The majority of MPs voted to support the Welfare Reform Bill at its third reading, expressing their support for the Bill as it stood.

Parliament's webpage on the bill^[1] states:

• The Bill provides for the introduction of a 'Universal Credit' to replace a range of existing means-tested benefits and tax credits for people of working age, starting from 2013.

as well as:

• introduces Personal Independence Payments to replace the current Disability Living Allowance
• restricts Housing Benefit entitlement for social housing tenants whose accommodation is larger than they need
• up-rates Local Housing Allowance rates by the Consumer Price Index
• amends the forthcoming statutory child maintenance scheme
• limits the payment of contributory Employment and Support Allowance to a 12-month period
• caps the total amount of benefit that can be claimed.

The explanatory notes to the bill^[2] stated:

• The Government estimates the net effect of the Bill on benefit expenditure will be as follows:·savings of £960m in the financial year 2012/13;·savings of £2,510m in the financial year 2013/14;·savings of £3,870m in the financial year 2014/15.
• In addition there is a further £2bn set aside in the Spending Review to cover the costs of implementing Universal Credit.

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• [1] Parliament webpage on the Welfare Reform Bill (which is now the Welfare Reform Act).
• [2] Explanatory notes to the Welfare Reform Bill as at 17 February 2011 - See note 678

Debate in Parliament | Source |