The Government set out its plans to modernise the welfare state with the publication of the Welfare Reform Bill on Tuesday (July 4th).

The Bill contains powers to replace incapacity benefit with a new Employment Support Allowance and to strengthen existing measures for tackling benefit fraud.

It also sets out a framework to reform and improve the design and administration of Housing Benefit.

Meanwhile, Minister for Welfare Reform, Jim Murphy also announced the national roll-out of the Pathways to Work scheme.

To read the Welfare Reform Bill visit www.dwp.gov.uk/aboutus/welfarereform/

Read the press release