Welfare Reform Bill: Third reading

Members are expected to clarify amendments made to Clause 10 about responsibility for children and young persons. The amendments aim to protect young disabled children from receiving a reduced Disability Living Allowance.

Debate is also expected on amendments to Clause 14, about claimant commitment in order to receive benefits. Members are expected to clarify amendments on cancer patients receiving medication and their benefit claim criteria.

• Third reading marshalled list of amendments 
• Latest amended bill after report stage

Third reading

At third reading the House of Lords may clarify and make further previously undiscussed amendments before sending it back to the House of Commons.

Third reading in the Chamber is the final chance for the Lords to change the wording of the bill.

• Passage of a bill: Lords third reading
• All Welfare Reform Bill documents

After third reading: Consideration of amendments

After third reading the bill will be sent to the House of Commons for the government to consider the amendments made in the House of Lords.

If further changes are made the bill will be sent between the houses until both houses are happy with a final version of the bill.

• Consideration of amendments

What happens if the houses don't agree with each other's amendments?

In exceptional cases, when the two Houses do not reach agreement, the bill falls. If certain conditions are met, the Commons can use the Parliament Acts to pass the bill, without the consent of the Lords, in the following session.

Welfare Reform Bill: Key areas

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

Catch up on the Welfare Reform Bill

• Read a summary of the Welfare Reform Bill proposals
• See full list of amendments
• Welfare Reform Bill Report Stage, days one to six
• Search for debates on Parliament TV
• The conclusive Grand Committee Day
• Read the Lords Hansard from the final Committee Day 17
• Welfare Reform Bill Grand Committee, days nine to 14
• Welfare Reform Bill Grand Committee, days one to eight
• Welfare Reform Bill Second Reading (13 September)

Further information

Find out more about watching House of Lords debates.

• Visiting Parliament: Attend debates and meetings