Lords vote against (welfare reform bill) social fund amendment

Lords have just voted 256 to 216 against an amendment moved by Lady Lister that would have put some measures in place to ensure that councils spend the parts of the former social fund they will receive on its abolition next year on the people who the money was intended for -

‘... the Secretary of State shall satisfy himself that the Local Authority is intending to deliver these services in accordance with the purposes set out in the settlement letter that accompanies any payments made from the Consolidated Fund under section 69 and that arrangements have been made to report on the use of these payments.’

Follow proceedings live with the guardian’s blog ... http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/blog/2012/jan/25/welfare-poverty

.. or watch @ http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=9872

Whereas on the CSA amendment, the vote is Contents: 270 Not contents: 128 so amendment to block CSA fees accepted. 6th defeat now in a volatile Lords.