To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent meetings (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have had with (i) the Department of Health, (ii) the Department for Education and Skills, (iii) the Department for Communities and Local Government, (iv) the Department for Trade and Industry, (v) the Home Office and (vi) HM Treasury to discuss the recommendations of the David Freud Review of the Welfare to Work Strategy. (127737)

Ministers and officials have had, and will continue to have, regular meetings with other Departments on areas of common interest. This has included discussions on the recent review by David Freud.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the changes to legislation necessary to implement the recommendations of the Freud Review on Welfare to Work; and if he will make a statement. (127741)

David Freud’s independent review “Reducing dependency, increasing opportunity: options for the future of welfare to work” was published on 5 March 2007. The Government are considering its recommendations, including any changes to legislation that may be necessary and will respond in due course.