May I join you, Mr Speaker, in wishing a happy birthday to the hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr Skinner)? I hope he finds it a cheery occasion, as the rest of us do.
We are committed to having a strong safety net where people need it. It is clear that there were challenges with the initial roll-out of universal credit, and the main issue that led to an increase in food bank usage could have been the fact that people had difficulty accessing their money early enough. We have made changes to accessing universal credit, so that people can have advances and so that there is a legacy run-on after two weeks of housing benefit, and we believe that that will help with food insecurity.
The Secretary of State may be aware of the cross-party children’s future food inquiry that I am co-chairing. Over the past year, I have heard from charities, families and, most importantly, young people themselves about their experiences with food insecurity. The matter is complex, but they tell me that universal credit is making their situation worse. Will the Secretary of State join me in April for the launch of the report, and will she tackle children’s food insecurity as a matter of urgency?
Universal Credit Roll-out
Universal Credit: Fluctuating Income
Work Capability Assessments
PIP Reassessments: Lifelong Disabilities
People with Learning Disabilities and Autism: Celebrating Achievements
Universal Credit: Social Security Advisory Committee
Employment Level
Universal Credit: Debt Repayments
Care Leavers: Employment Opportunities
In-work Poverty
Social Security Benefits: Disabled People
Breathing Space Scheme
Location of Jobcentres
Social Security Benefits: Windrush Generation
Topical Questions
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