Member

Amendment 50 suggests an important change that would place a duty on the Minister to set out in writing the reasons why, after an application to vary a direct deduction order was made, a certain decision was reached. There is no requirement in the Bill that the applicant be informed of anything other than the decision reached, which is an unsatisfactory level of detail. It is absolutely reasonable that an applicant be informed of the reasons why a decision was made. Not only that—this is also an important mechanism of oversight. Compelling the Minister to provide their reasoning would allow the applicant to hold the Minister to account and allow a fuller review of their actions should the applicant choose to initiate one. If the Minister is confident that the decisions reached following an application to vary are fair and balanced, we do not see why she would not consider this as an addition to the text of the Bill. Transparency is of paramount importance to building trust, and we believe that this change would make the exercise of the powers in the Bill more effective and more responsible.