This Library Note provides background reading in advance of the second reading in the House of Lords of the Welfare Reform and Work Bill on 17 November 2015.
Welfare Reform and Work Bill (424 KB , PDF)
The Welfare Reform and Work Bill contains a number of measures. The Bill would place a duty on the Government to report on its progress towards full employment, its apprenticeships target and the effect of certain support for troubled families. It would also make provision about ‘life chances’ for children; the benefit cap; social security and tax credits; loans for mortgage interest; and social housing rents.
The Bill was introduced in the House of Commons on 9 July 2015 and received its second reading on 20 July 2015. A Public Bill Committee took written evidence on the Bill, and examined it over eleven sittings from 10 September 2015 to 20 October 2015. The Bill passed through its remaining stages in the House of Commons on 27 October 2015. A number of government amendments were made to the Bill during its passage through the House of Commons. Divisions took place on a number of opposition amendments, but none of these were carried. Following its first reading on 28 October 2015, the Bill is scheduled to receive its second reading in the House of Lords on 17 November 2015.
The Library Note provides an overview of the Bill’s provisions; examines its background; summarises proceedings on the Bill in the House of Commons; and outlines selected reaction to the child poverty and ‘life chances’ measures in the Bill. It should be viewed as complementary to, and should be read in conjunction with, the Welfare Reform and Work Bill as introduced in the House of Lords and the Explanatory Notes published by the Department of Work and Pensions to accompany the Bill. The House of Commons Library Briefing on the Bill provides more detailed background to, and further comment on, individual provisions in the version of the Bill introduced in the House of Commons on 9 July 2015. A further House of Commons Library Briefing provides detailed information on the Bill’s committee stage in that House. The Government has published a number of impact assessments on the Bill, together with memoranda concerning delegated powers and human rights.
Welfare Reform and Work Bill (424 KB , PDF)
On 9 March, the Covid-19 Day of Reflection 2025 took place to mark five years since the start of the pandemic in the UK. This briefing has been prepared ahead of a debate in the House of Lords focused on the support available to those bereaved because of Covid-19. It outlines the help available for families and sets out background information on the Covid-19 Day of Reflection, as well as the UK Covid-19 inquiry.
The government introduced the Finance Bill in the House of Lords on 4 March 2025. The House is scheduled to debate the bill at second reading and all remaining stages on 19 March 2025.
On 6 March 2025, the House of Lords is scheduled to hold a debate marking International Women’s Day focused on the steps being taken to promote women’s participation and leadership in science and technology. The motion for the debate is sponsored by Baroness Gustafsson, the government minister for investment. This briefing provides an overview of data and research in this area, as well as information on government policy.
